Sisters cut the turf to celebrate start of architecturally unique buildings at Ripon College Cuddesdon

Building work has started on two new, potentially award winning buildings at leading theological college, Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford.

Harriet Monsell House, designed by Sadler Brown Architecture, will comprise a new lecture theatre, additional accommodation for the growing number of students at the College and a new home for the Sisters of Begbroke.  The Edward King Chapel, designed by Niall McLaughlin Architects and funded by the Sisters of Begbroke, will be a stunning new worship space in the heart of the College community.

Both are contemporary buildings that make reference to the existing Grade II* listed buildings. Timber clad walls wrap seamlessly over the eaves to form the roof of Harriet Monsell House, and the Chapel is elliptical in form with a woven like dog-toothed stone wall surmounted by a clerestorey. Internally a lattice-work timber frame echoes the beauty and intricacy of historic cathedral vaulted ceilings.

These complicated structures will require detailed coordination of design and construction elements and Oxford based building firm, Beard, has been appointed for their attention to detail and precision technical expertise.  Commented Martin Wareham, Senior Project Manager at Beard, on the forthcoming challenges: “We will have to ensure a very high level of accuracy in the construction to ensure all the different elements fit together and test our skilled craftsmen to the full to achieve the high quality finishes both buildings require.”

Ripon College Cuddesdon, founded in 1854 by the Bishop of Oxford, is one of the country’s leading theological colleges with a third of current bishops, deans and archdeacons in the Church of England having trained there.  The College’s greatest strength today is acceptance of students right across the breadth of church traditions preparing them for all they will meet in today’s diverse world.