Radcliffe Observatory Quarter Walton Street Wall Strategy Document 2 Contents

Section Description Page

1 Introduction 5

2 History of the Wall 2.1 General history 6 2.2 Historic maps of the wall 7 2.3 Description of the wall 12 2.4 Significance of the wall 14

3 Walton Street 3.1 General description of Walton Street 18 3.2 Walton Street frontage conditions 20 3.3 Walton Street views and sections 28

4 Public and Private Realm 4.1 Spatial typologies in Oxford 30 4.2 Central University Area 34 4.3 Keble College and South Parks Road 36 4.4 Walton Street and the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter 38 4.5 Colleges, hospitals and hotels 40 4.6 Spatial typologies and the development of the Radcliffe 42 Observatory Quarter

5 Approaches to Development 5.0 Introduction 44 5.1 Retain the wall as it is today 45 5.2 Retain the wall with modifications 46 5.3 Retain the wall with engaged buildings 47 5.4 Retain the wall built into new buildings 48 5.5 Lower the wall 49 5.6 Remove the wall completely 50 5.7 Remove the wall but retain key sections 51

6 Conclusion 52

3 4 1 Introduction

This report examines the wall to the west of the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter (ROQ), Green Woodstock Road which forms its boundary with Walton Street. It was originally built as a demesne Templeton wall enclosing and protecting the properties of the Radcliffe Observatory and the College Radcliffe Infirmary. Although this Report considers the history and significance of the wall, it primarily examines the spatial character of the area around the wall and looks at how it has changed over time. In this way we hope to find some evidence that will relate the new spatial character of the ROQ to previous spatial organisations of the Radcliffe site, allowing us to make decisions about the future of the wall. Observatory

One assumption of this report is that it is possible to describe the urban realm in terms of spatial typology. That is the relationship between buildings, walls, enclosed Radcliffe and open space and how they affect the perception of people using the city. Infirmary Certain buildings and places, by their forms and adjacencies, let us know that they are open and accessible; other are clearly private and we know when we cross critical thresholds. Urban form has developed in such a way that we are normally subliminally aware of these distinctions and they are fundamental to our ability to navigate the city.

The city of Oxford has developed around certain dominant typologies. The walled St Paul’s Church or cloistered college conflated the organisation of the monastery and the manor house into a new spatial form characterised by introspection. Religious, civic and University institutions were normally more open to the public realm. This may seem entirely self evident but it is not. St. Mary the Virgin enjoys an open relationship with its surroundings quite unlike the temenos of a Roman temple or its descendents in Somerville Islamic religious architecture. College

Walton Street In central Oxford, private residential or commercial property is interspersed between the two dominant types forming an infill layer. However, the key spatial characteristic of the city is the polarisation between the bounded college enclosures and the more Oxford expansive institutional buildings. University Press

In this report we will examine the existing mixed spatial character of Walton Street (Section 2). We will look at the dominant spatial typologies in the city with reference to the Central University Area and South Parks Road (Section 3). We will compare Above: Aerial photo of the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter site [ Walton Street Wall] these with the proposed new spatial character of the ROQ and we will look at how that character is changing over time. We will conclude by looking at the varying approaches for developing the space around the Walton Street Wall (Section 4). We will propose a framework for the future development of this part of the site.

5 2 History of the Wall

2.1 General history of the wall Map progression charting the development of the Walton Street Wall

History of the Walton Street Wall On the 1878 and 1921 OS maps a path is marked by dotted lines running near to the north edge of the Observatory site to a point in the north end of the wall. It is likely that the northern section of the Walton Street wall was constructed at Logically, therefore, an entrance in the wall would have been present here by some point between 1770 and 1795 at the same time as the Observatory. The wall 1878. However, the pedestrian and vehicular entrance that still exists today [1] continued around the rest of the Observatory site and at the northern boundary appears to be of a later construction. It is difficult to say when this was carried out. the wall still survives. The southern boundary wall of the Observatory was still in It is possible that it was reconstructed in 1931 when entrances 2, 3 and 4 were place on the 1921 OS map but soon after this, in 1929, the Infirmary purchased created. However, this entrance features chamfered edge details to the stonework the Observatory site and the wall between the two was taken down to allow for the which do not feature on the other gateways, indicating that it was constructed at Infirmary’s expansion, though there is a possibility that some parts of it still survive a different time. It is therefore difficult to tell what the date of construction of this in the northern boundary wall of St Paul’s Church. entrance was, though it is likely to be late 19th/early 20th century.

The boundary wall of the Infirmary was originally set back from the road slightly, as seen in the 1797 map and had a central gateway. The addition of graveyards at the west of the site meant that this boundary was revised before 1832 and a new set of walls must have been constructed around the burial grounds, though the central pathway was retained.

In 1836 St Paul’s Church and its gate posts and railings were constructed abutting the south of the Observatory site and over part of the northern burial ground at the west end of the Infirmary site. A wall was also constructed around the north, east and south sides of the Church, faced in stone on the church side and brick on the Infirmary side. Presumably, being a more prestigious material in this region (most of Oxford’s older buildings are constructed of limestone) the stone was used for the side visible to the church goers and the cheaper material of brick was used for the back of the wall.

The 1850 map gives a diagrammatic representation of the wall, i.e. it shows one continuous line without any breaks indicating gates etc. We know that St. Paul’s Church had railings and a gate but these are not shown on the plan. It is therefore possible that there were other openings which are not marked. One such opening could have been where the path in the Infirmary gardens meets the wall [E]. This could have given access from the west of the Infirmary site to the burial grounds of the chapel and Infirmary.

However, the wall shows no sign of an opening at this point that has been blocked up and the dramatic change in ground levels either side of the wall would indicate that the ground was built up and the wall rebuilt when the new Fever Ward was constructed in 1870. The ground level may have been raised on the Infirmary side to provide a flat construction surface.

The later maps show that the Fever Ward was accessed by a driveway at the south end of the wall next to 199A Walton Street [7]. The construction of the Fever Ward, therefore, also involved the construction of a new access gateway at the south. Key plan with entrances/openings marked as numbers and sections of the wall marked as letters Aerial view of the section of Walton Street in front of the ROQ site.

6 2 History of the wall

2.2 Historic maps of the wall Map progression charting the development of the Walton Street Wall

1797 Richard Davis’ Map 1832 Parish of St Giles, St John’s College Enclosure Map

This map shows the early years off the Observatory and Infirmary. The Observatory grounds This map is unfortunately of poor quality but the boundaries of the Infirmary and Observatory show a solid boundary around the north, west, south and possibly the east sides, which sites can still be made out, along with the principal buildings. indicates a boundary wall around the whole site. It is likely that this was constructed as part of the Observatory complex. The Observatory was started in 1770 but not finished until The Observer’s House is now present on the Observatory site. Though the landscaping of 1795. The Observer’s House to the east is not constructed yet. the site has changed slightly the boundary wall appears to have remained the same.

At the west end of the Infirmary site there is a wedge shaped patch of grass beside the road. The western boundary of the Infirmary site has changed. There are now two small enclosures Set back from the road is a boundary with a central opening for a gate. This opens to a path located where the patch of grassland had been in 1797. A gap between them indicates a that leads back through the Infirmary gardens. path from Walton Street through the Infirmary grounds. There is, therefore, likely to have been an opening in the wall on Walton Street between the two enclosures.

Aerial view of the section of Walton Street in front of the ROQ site.

7 2 History of the Wall

2.2 Historic maps of the wall Map progression charting the development of the Walton Street Wall

1830s Map of Oxford showing the area proposed to be assigned to the new Chapel 1850 Robert Hoggar’s Map of Oxford of St Paul’s A continuous solid boundary is marked along the west side of the Radcliffe Observatory Oxford Record Office, reference: PA R212/10/M1/1. and Infirmary sites. Whether the boundary walls have openings or the height of the wall is not possible to determine from the map. This map shows the area proposed for the new parish of St Paul’s. The green line denotes the area to be retained by St Giles Parish. At the bottom is a description of the boundary St. Paul’s church can be seen just south of half way along the wall. The railings and gate of St Paul’s Parish. piers of the church are just marked as a solid line.

The new chapel is drawn on over the northern burial enclosure at the western edge of the A thicker black line is marked running along the north edge of the Observatory site, down Infirmary site. the centre of Walton Road, around the boundary of St. Paul’s church and back to continue down Walton Road. This is likely to be a parish boundary rather than any kind of structure. The wall on the north and west side of the Observatory site are marked, which confirms that there was a wall there. There is open land behind the wall in the Observatory grounds. The church and a small infirmary building frame burial grounds with a dividing path between them. There are two enclosures shown on the 1832 map. The path between the two again indicates an opening in the wall.

8 1878 OS Map 1900 OS Map

The Walton Street Wall is marked as a solid line. The wall is again shown as a continuous solid line, including the railings of St. Paul’s The inside of the wall is lined with trees on both the Observatory and Infirmary sites. Church.

A path is marked near the top of the Observatory site indicating a gap in the wall at the north end. The driveway from the Eye Hospital (formerly the Fever Ward) to the southernmost point of the wall is again shown. At the south corner of the site a short section of the wall at right angles to the street indicates there could have been a driveway into the site here. The two burial enclosures have been removed, as has the central pathway. This indicates that the Infirmary section of the wall could have been rebuilt when the new Fever Ward was constructed just to the east, with an access driveway at the southernmost point of the site.

9 2 History of the Wall

2.2 Historic maps of the wall Map progression charting the development of the Walton Street Wall

1921 OS Map 1939 OS Map

The same comments about the 1900 map can be made for the 1921 map. The Walton Street Wall is again shown as a single unbroken line.

Additionally, the 1921 map again shows the pathway along the north edge of the Observatory By this date the Infirmary has taken over the Observatory site and many new buildings have site which ends at the north end of the Walton Street Wall. This indicates that there was an been constructed. opening at this location. The eye hospital and St. Paul’s Church are likely to retain the openings mentioned above.

The pathway along the north edge of the Observatory site is now not marked.

The new Maternity Home is shown as a backwards ‘E’ shaped building to the east of the site. A new opening in the wall is shown to access this building. The map indicates that there are steps up into the site. The dotted line representing the driveways to the west of the building may also show that vehicular entrances were created just to the north of the church and at the north end of the building.

10 1958 OS Map 2007 OS Map (pre-demolition)

The 1958 OS Map shows a wide opening at the southernmost end of the wall for access There is an opening in the wall at the southernmost end to give access to the former Eye to the Eye Hospital. Hospital. There is another opening just north of St. Paul’s church, which gives access to the Maternity Home. A gateway leads up a set of steps creating a pedestrian entrance to Just to the north of this is a small building constructed up against the wall. This is marked the building. Just north of that there is another vehicle entrance. The wall now stops short as a ‘Shelter’- perhaps a bus shelter. at the northern corner of the estate giving access to a service yard.

The boundary of St. Paul’s church is marked in a solid line but would have still been the A small shelter is still marked. It is probably a bus stop. The railings of St. Paul’s are still railings and gate post configuration. shown as a solid line.

The opening created for access to the Maternity Home with steps leading up into the site is still present.

At the far north of the wall an access road is shown running along the northern edge of the Infirmary site to the wall.

11 2 History of the Wall

2.3 Description of the wall

The plan below right identifies each opening in the wall with numbers and each separate stretch of wall with a letter so as to make this description clear.

The Walton Street Wall stretches the length of the west side of the ROQ site (approximately 200m) and has various openings and gates. There is a bend in the wall about half way along. The whole wall is constructed in coursed rubble limestone with ashlar quoins terminating the sections and a stone cap along the top. The limestone is likely to be the local Headington Stone. The northern sections of the wall are constructed with larger blocks of stone in fairly irregular courses. The southern section of wall is built with smaller blocks in more regular courses. The wall is most clearly visible from the road side, as on the site side of the wall the ground is built up to higher levels. All the entrances are currently blocked with wooden panels.

There are eight openings at randomly spaced intervals in the wall, creating five distinct sections of stone wall. At the northernmost end of the wall are the first two openings [1] which abut a Entrance 2 and wall section A - Photo provided by Turnberry Consulting Entrance 1 - Photo provided by PMT row of brick terraced houses to the north of the ROQ site. On the left hand side is a pedestrian entrance set in an ashlar section of wall. To the right of this is a vehicular entrance with chamfered edges to the quoins. The section of wall running south from this opening [A] is approximately 3.5m tall and 50m in length. The top few courses of stone have been re-pointed in recent years in a lime/ cement mix mortar. This is true for all the separate sections of wall.

The next opening that is encountered gives vehicular access to a car park in the north-west corner of the ROQ site [2]. At either side of the opening the wall steps down and then curves down to form a lower section of wall. The ends of the wall terminate with ashlar quoins and an ashlar stone cap. To the rear of the wall, north of the opening, is a projecting spur of stone wall which runs east-west at a lower level than the main section of wall.

The wall continues south [B] for a length of approximately 30m at the same height as the previous section of the wall. After this is a gateway [3], which is the most elaborate opening in the wall Entrance 3 - Photo provided by Turnberry Consulting and accessed up a set of approximately seven stone steps. At each side of the opening the wall curves inwards and downwards to form a low opening in which is set decorative wrought iron gates that are approximately double the height of the wall. Wrought iron railings are also set on top of the curved sections of the wall either side of the gates. The gates are currently painted pale blue but are suffering from rust. Set on top of the wall at either side of the gate are a pair of stone vases with swags draped down to the top of the pier. Key plan with entrances/openings marked as numbers and sections of the wall marked as letters

Continuing south the wall remains the same height [C]. After approximately 25m is the fourth opening [4] giving vehicular access to the area directly north of St. Paul’s church. A short 6m section of wall is to the south of this [D]. The central section of the stone here appears to be in slightly neater rows and uses more regular shaped stones. Two large blocks of stone with a central key stone above this section could be a lintel. This would indicate that a pedestrian sized doorway was once located here but has been filled in. This section of wall terminates with a large ashlar pier with a plain plinth. The top of the pier is not visible due to overgrown Ivy.

Entrance 4 - Photo provided by Turnberry Consulting

12 St. Paul’s church is south of this short section of wall. This imposing Greek Revival church with large portico is set behind cast iron railings and gates [5]. These are approximately 2m high with each railing topped with a dagger shaped finial. These railings are listed Grade II, as is the church itself. Both ends of the railings are attached to ashlar stone piers. The church is surrounded on the north, east and south sides by a wall which on the north side is attached to the stone pier. At the south pier the railings continue at a right angle back towards the church and to the south of this is an access path around the south side of the church. A narrow pedestrian opening [6] with a metal gate is to the south of the pier giving access to this path. South of this is the boundary wall of the church which is set at right angles to the road. On the north side facing the church this is stone but on the south side facing the Infirmary site the wall is faced in brick.

The wall then continues south [E]. From this point the wall is lower than the previous sections at approximately 2m and has a thicker ashlar cap to the top. This section runs for approximately Section D Entrance 7 50m until it curves eastwards and reduces in height before turning at a right angle to the street and runs along the left hand side of a driveway into the site [7]. On the opposite side of the driveway is No.199A Walton Street, the Grade II listed 19th century house.

On the site side of the wall, the ground level on the northern sections of the wall [A-C] is raised up to approximately one third of the height of the wall on the street side. The ground level lowers where entrances 1, 2 and 4 are located but at Entrance 3 there are steps up into the site to accommodate the level change.

These sections of the wall are shored up on this side with buttresses constructed of large stone blocks. On this side of the wall the wall running along the north side of the ROQ site is visible. This is of the same construction and height as the northern sections of the Walton Street Wall and it is therefore likely that these were constructed at the same time.

Around St. Paul’s church is a boundary wall partially constructed in stone similar to the Walton Railings of St Paul’s Church, Entrance 5 The stone cap of the southern section of the wall Street Wall but several sections on the north and east side have been reconstructed in concrete blocks. The ground level on the north side of the church is the same as the street level on the other side of the road as the ground dips down here for Entrance 4. The ground level rises around the south side of the church boundary so only a small portion of the wall is visible from the south side of the church. The only the stone cap of the southern section of the Walton Street Wall is therefore visible over the higher ground level.

At the far south end the section of the wall that curves round to the east lines the north side of the driveway, which slopes downwards to street level. The wall is generally in quite good condition. There are some sections, however, where the stone is wearing away and the lime mortar has some sulphate build up on it, caused by a reaction of the calcium carbonate of the lime reacting with pollutants in the air. Other sections have been re-pointed unattractively in cement. Ivy is also causing a problem at the Maternity Home gate and the stone piers at the church where it is growing over the top of the wall.

Pedestrian Entrance 6 The southern boundary wall of the church

13 2 History of the Wall

2.4 Significance of the wall Heritage values of the Walton Street wall - Assessing the contribution of setting to significance based on English Heritage Guidance

A B

1 2

50m length 30m length 3.5m tall 3.5m tall 1770-95 A-E: Sections of Stone Wall 1770-95

Pedestrian and 1930s vehicular 1931 Maternity Home vehicular entrance entrance pedestrian entrance Likely to be late 19th/ Ashlar quoins and ‘most elaborate’ early 20th century stone caps Wall curves inwards and downwards Entrance possibly Site side ground level enlarged around 1900 Decorative wrought iron gates lowers at entrance Pair of stone vases with swags

1-7: Openings in Wall

References from Statement of Significance - Walton Street Wall, Second Draft, April 2009, Purcell Miller Tritton

14 C D E

3 4 5 6 7

6m length 3.5m tall 50m length Ashlar pier with plinth 2m tall 25m length Possible 1790 boundary Thicker ashlar cap 3.5m tall Wall behind attached to Curves eastwards and reduces in height 1770-95 stone pier (listed) Bus shelter demolished Likely to be 1870 when Fever Ward built

1931 Maternity Home 1930s Maternity Home 1836 Greek Revival church Narrow pedestrian opening Former drive to Fever Ward pedestrian entrance vehicular entrance with metal gate 2m high cast iron railings 1870 ‘most elaborate’ Access to area north of and gates topped with Access path around the Wall curves inwards and St Paul’s dagger shaped finial south side of the church downwards Ashlar stone piers Decorative wrought iron gates Site side ground level Pair of stone vases with swags lowers at entrance Church, railings and gate piers Grade II listed

15 2 History of the Wall

2.4 Significance of the wall Heritage values of the Walton Street wall - Assessing the contribution of setting to significance based on English Heritage Guidance

Aesthetic Value Communal Value

The Walton Street Wall is divided into four sections separated by gateways and The wall is two hundred years old and local people will associate it with the history railed openings. The wall appears highest and most substantial at the north end of the place. In particular, it is significant because it is part of the old Infirmary, and it is much reduced in scale, quality and construction at the south end of the which has a strong place in collective memory. The Maternity Home lay beyond site. It is a rubble and ashlar wall that has been repaired, rebuilt, taken down and this wall and it was valued locally. The wall may have some communal value by filled in during its history as the site behind it was developed. The wall is not uniform association with the now demolished building. The reliefs belonging to the building in terms of regularity of materials and coursing. One elaborate gateway in the wall will be reused as part of the ROQ public art strategy and these are perhaps the best curves inwards with cut stone pillars and steps surmounted by decorative wrought reminder of the Maternity Home. iron gates. The high stone demesne walls were built to keep hoi polloi out of the protected The wall is a very prominent feature of the street. The long run of old stone with trees enclaves within. The western section of the Infirmary wall was probably built to appearing behind makes a pleasant contribution to the streetscape. The openings prevent the folk of Jericho from taking produce from the kitchen gardens. Big in the wall bring an attractive variety. The high wall helps to frame and contain stonewalls are common in Oxford and they are usually associated with some form of St. Paul’s church. This wall feels like a natural continuation of the wall enclosing exclusion or segregation. It is not necessary for communal values to be affirmative Somerville College. and these associations are a part of the heritage of the city.

The mixed nature of the construction of the wall, with more and less regular blocks, The Observatory and the Infirmary no longer function as they were intended to. random coursing interspersed with even coursing and different cut stone openings The purpose of the wall has been lost. The new Radcliffe Observatory Quarter is brings an enjoyable sense of time to its appearance. It seems to have been constantly intended to feel like an accessible public realm. Preservation of the wall will illustrate modified, repaired and rebuilt to suit changes in the site behind. The bigger changes its lost historical function; demolition of the wall will recognise the new role of this implied by these material modifications give the wall a temporal depth allowing us to urban quarter. These factors will need to be balanced in any judgement of overall intuit the passing of time. This is an aesthetic consideration. communal value.

The materials and patina of the wall are pleasing. It is made of weathered Headington In summary, the presence of the wall has both affirmative and uncomfortable limestone originally quarried on the eastern outskirts of the city. The wall acts as historical associations for local people. Older historical associations suggest a reminder of the older character of the country lane passing between enclosed exclusion but more recent ones may link to the Infirmary and its role in the local estates and farms. community, especially the gateway to the Maternity Home. We would suggest low to medium communal value. The wall does not appear to have been designed as one piece. It looks like something made simply for a purpose by artisans. In contrast, some of the gateways have a self-conscious character associated with formal or decorative features. This alteration between formal and vernacular elements is mildly pleasing.

The wall is like other demesne walls in Oxford. It appears to belong to a set of similar things that you might come upon as you walk through the city. It tells you something about one phase of the development of the site and allows you to link that to other places you pass in Oxford. This intuition of connectedness is an aesthetic factor.

In summary, the wall has a medium aesthetic significance based on its age, irregularity, associations and natural materials. The key factors that determine its aesthetic value are the good quality historic vernacular construction of parts of the wall and the sense of openness that it gives to this part of Walton Street.

16 Evidential Value Historical Value

The early maps show a great change in the area from predominately agricultural The Walton Street Wall is an important historic feature. The wall defined the western land north of the St Giles to built up suburban streets, which happened in the late sides of two very important historic sites in Oxford, the Radcliffe Infirmary and the 19th Century. The wall was therefore constructed when the character of the area Radcliffe Observatory. Much of the wall is likely to be over 200 years old, having was very different to how it is today. It has also been adapted to suit the changing been built for the Observatory between 1772 and 1795 [A-D]. The southern section uses of the sites and the increased development of the hospital. The development of the wall [E] is at least 130 years old, probably having been reconstructed around of the wall can therefore be charted. 1870 with the construction of the Fever Ward, but could have earlier foundations as there was a wall here from the construction of the Radcliffe Infirmary. The association that the Walton Street Wall has with the Infirmary and Observatory increases its significance as it marked the boundary of these two important institutions.

17 3 Walton Street

3.1 General description of Walton Street Wall Plan of Walton Street illustrating the diverse occupation and types of street frontage.

Introduction terms of spatial typology. That is the relationship between buildings, walls, enclosed and open space and how they affect the perception of people using the city. Certain This report examines the wall to the west of the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter (ROQ), buildings and places, by their forms and adjacencies, let us know that they are open and which forms its boundary with Walton Street. It was originally built as a demesne wall accessible; other are clearly private and we know when we cross critical thresholds. enclosing and protecting the properties of the Radcliffe Observatory and the Radcliffe Urban form has developed in such a way that we are normally subliminally aware of Infirmary. Purcell Miller Tritton have already prepared a Statement of Significance these distinctions and they are fundamental to our ability to navigate the city. (April 2009) looking at the history, development and physical state of the wall. This report does not replicate its findings. It is intended as a complimentary document that The city of Oxford has developed around certain dominant typologies. The walled examines the spatial character of the area around the wall and looks at how it has or cloistered college conflated the organisation of the monastery and the manor changed over time. In this way we hope to find some evidence that will relate the new house into a new spatial form characterised by introspection. Religious, civic and spatial character of the ROQ to previous spatial organisations of the site, allowing us University institutions were normally more open to the public realm. This may seem to make decisions about the future of the wall. entirely self evident but it is not. St. Mary the Virgin enjoys an open relationship with its surroundings quite unlike the Temenos of a Roman temple or its antecedents One assumption of this report is that it is possible to describe the urban realm in

OCCUPATION TYPE: STREET FRONTAGE TYPE:

Houses directly onto the street / with small enclosures

set back from the street with front gardens

with sunken basement access from the street

Residential buildings directly onto the street

set back from the street with a forecourt

Garden / Green Spaces

Shops with flats above directly onto the street

set back from the street with railings

Cafes and bars directly onto the street

set back from the street with railings or a garden

Cinema

Institutional buildings set back from the street

steps directly onto the pavement 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Colleges

18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Right: Plan of Walton Street (key on opposite page)

19 3 Walton Street

3.2 Walton Street frontage conditions Sectional drawings and photographs of the varying building conditions and their frontage onto Walton Street.

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Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 20 Section 4 Section 5 Section 6 21 3 Walton Street

3.2 Walton Street frontage conditions Sectional drawings and photographs of the varying building conditions and their frontage onto Walton Street.

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Section 7 Section 8 Section 9 Section 10 22 Section 11 Section 12 Section 13 23 3 Walton Street

3.2 Walton Street frontage conditions Sectional drawings and photographs of the varying building conditions and their frontage onto Walton Street.

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Section 14 Section 15 Section 16 24 Section 17 Section 18 Section 19 25 3 Walton Street

3.2 Walton Street frontage conditions Sectional drawings and photographs of the varying building conditions and their frontage onto Walton Street.

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Section 20 Section 21 26 Section 22 Section 23 27 3 Walton Street

3.3 Walton Street views and sections Sectional drawings and photographs along Walton Street.

Today the street can be divided into five or six sections. Travelling north from Worcester College, we pass through a section with a 3m high demesne wall to the west and a row of terraced houses set behind railed areas to the east. The next section is dominated by residential development with houses facing each other. The houses to the west are lower with small front gardens. The Clarendon Institute and Ruskin College establish a slightly larger scale without undermining the domestic character of the street.

There is a noticeable kink to the west at the bottom of Little Clarendon Street and beyond it the University Press is the most dominant building. The grand Roman colonnaded and bayed façade is quite unlike anything else on the street. The stone View 2 rubble walls of Somerville College and the Infirmary are directly opposite. The View 1 View 3 buildings of Somerville College are set back from the wall in a fashion typical of Oxford lanes and side streets. It can be compared to St. John’s College on Lamb and Flag Passage or Christ Church College on Blue Boar Street. The wall enclosing the infirmary is low and undistinguished. The combination of rubble walls to the east with monumental architecture to the west creates a front door, back door mismatch approaching bathos.

St. Paul’s Church dominates the vista along Great Clarendon Street, but its flank walls remain exposed giving an unsatisfactory aspect from north and south. The Greek Revival portico of St. Paul’s immediately creates a visual association with the Oxford University Press because the two have a clear frontal address and advertise themselves as significant institutions. Beyond St. Paul’s to the north, a mixed range View 4 View 5 View 6 of houses faces the stone demesne wall of the Infirmary.

The final, northern, section of Walton Street is characterised by modest residential buildings interspersed with cafes and shops. Buildings tend to cluster into small informal groupings framed by gables or other modest features. This seems to reflect the disposal of plots on a piecemeal basis. Abundant cafes and bars open onto small forecourts beside the pavement. The Phoenix Picture House is a delightful light-hearted counterpoint to the institutional buildings further south. 4 5

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D E C A Section no. 1 6 B

View no. 1 F A

28 A D

B E

C F

29 4 Public and Private Realm 4.1 Spatial typologies in Oxford

1 The demesne wall enclosing gardens or fields 2 The demesne wall with attached or set back structures.

Example: Examples:

Magdalen College on Longwall Street Somerville College on Walton Street Christ Church College on Blue Boar Street

In this example the principal building sits within a bounded As structures develop around the principal building, they usually enclosure, which may contain fields, orchards, formal gardens or form smaller enclosures and open courts within the demesne. They kitchen gardens. The boundary is defined by a demesne wall; often can be freestanding buildings or they may be built into the boundary a robust vernacular construction of random or course rubble topped wall. In Oxford, this process of accretion within a defined boundary by a stone cap. Sometimes the wall gives way to a more open has progressed from the late Middle Ages right up to the 20th arrangement (dotted) at the entrance but this is not always the case. Century as illustrated by Blue Boar Street above. This arrangement is typical of medieval manor houses.

Enclosed college with secure perimeter Enclosed college with secure perimeter

Boundary / demesne walls Boundary / demesne walls

30 3 The cloistered court 4 The cloistered court set within older defensive or demesne walls.

Examples:

Examples:

Christ Church College on Blue Boar Street Brasnose College New College on Queen’s Lane

As monasteries and colleges developed they constructed more Looking at the older colleges in Oxford we can see the layers of this formal cloistered courts where the buildings create the enclosure. In progression. In New College, it is possible to find remnants of the this building type, the outer walls can be plain and undemonstrative, old city wall built in to the buildings, the boundary of Queen’s Lane is even defensive, while the inner walls have the principal architectural an old demesne wall and sitting just behind it you can see the outer expression, for example colonnades and heraldic portals. Access walls of a cloistered enclosure. This complex layering illustrates the into the buildings is from within the protected enclosure. evolution of the spatial typology.

Enclosed college with secure perimeter Enclosed college with secure perimeter

Boundary / demesne walls

31 4 Public and Private Realm 4.1 Spatial typologies in Oxford

5 Open sided cloistered court with screen or railings to main frontage 6 Freestanding religious, public or university building surrounded by accessible public space.

Example: Example:

All Souls College to Catte Street Queen’s College to High Street St Mary the Virgin

In the late 17th and early 18th Centuries, some of the cloistered By contrast to the enclosed colleges, the religious, civic and University courts were reconfigured so that they were open on one side. These buildings present themselves outwardly to the public realm. St Mary three-sided enclosures were believed to bring in better light and air. the Virgin and the Radcliffe Camera are objects opening outward This arrangement was probably first used in colleges in Oxford but it to the city. The space they sit in is open to all citizens. It is worth is very characteristic of Cambridge and was exported from there to noticing how this public space is held, or bookmarked, by the college the first American universities. The development of this type is dealt enclosures. This sets up a coherent figure-ground relationship. with in detail is Section 3. Nicholas Hawksmoor prepared the first schemes for Queen’s College and All Souls almost simultaneously. Despite the contrast in style between the two, the spatial type is very Public / University buildings similar.

Enclosed college with secure perimeter Accessible public space

32 7 Religious, civic or university building aligning with a street and 8 Religious, civic or university building set within a continuous street frontage presenting a clear principal frontage and front door.

Examples: Examples:

Oxford University Press Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art

In the 19th and 20th Centuries, the main University institutions Other public building were built into existing street frontages and were designed with a strong orientation towards public squares and here they borrow the simple orientation of High Street shops and streets. This gives a legible frontal quality to the buildings, there is houses and their most beautiful and carefully realised facades are little doubt about where to find the front door of the Oxford University towards the street. Press illustrated above. These building might enclose light wells, courtyards and services yards, but there is no doubt where the principal address is. It is outward to the city.

Public / University buildings Public / University buildings

Accessible public space Accessible public space

33 4 Public and Private Realm 4.2 Central University Area

The colour-coded plan opposite is designed to reveal a difference between the bounded, private space of colleges and the public space that is open to everybody. It shows how the residential and communal ranges of college buildings wrap around themselves to create enclosed spaces hidden from the street. The colleges look inward and the older ones often present defensive features to the public realm. Two exceptions, All Souls and Queen’s, influenced by Enlightenment thinking, are 13 bounded by semi-transparent screens opening an indirect relationship with the city. This exception is discussed elsewhere.

2 In contrast, the religious, civic and University institutions sit within open space and are 10 accessible to it. St. Mary’s, the Radcliffe Camera, the Sheldonian and the Clarendon Building are all objects sitting on open, public ground. The Bodleian, New Bodleian 5 and Schools Buildings bound public space and open up frontal relationships with it. The exception here is the Bodleian / Schools, which borrows the typology of an enclosed college while remaining an open, accessible public space. This may be 12 because it was staging its own Gothic revival and imitating an older building form for 4 cultural reasons. 6 3

14

11

1

Public / Faculty buildings with entrance from the street indicated 7 Publicly accessible areas

Enclosed Colleges with secure perimeter

Boundary walls

Image reference (see facing pace)

34 1. The Radcliffe Camera 2. The Sheldonian Theatre 3. Radcliffe Camera and St Mary’s 4. The Divinity School

5. The Old Ashmolean Building 6. The Sheldonian Theatre 7. High Street and St. Mary’s Church 8. Aerial view of the Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera, St Mary’s church, the Divinity School and the Sheldonian Theatre

10. The Sheldonian Theatre and the Clarendon Building 12. New College Lane

9. All Souls College 13. The New Bodleian Building 11. All Souls Towers 14. New College Lane

35 4 Public and Private Realm 4.3 Keble College and South Parks Road

6

4

7 1 5

2 3

36 1. The Zoology & Psychology Buildings 2. Rhodes House

3. The Earth Sciences Building 4. Oxford University Museum of Natural History

5. Keble College 6. Keble College 7. Keble College

37 4 Public and Private Realm 4.4 Walton Street and the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter

2

5

3

38 2. Radcliffe Observatory Building (Green Templeton College)

5. Wolfson Building (Somerville College) behind the stone rubble demesne walls

4

1

39 4 Public and Private Realm 4.5 Colleges, hospitals and hotels

This section of the report can be treated as an explanatory footnote showing why we have chosen to illustrate the development of the Radcliffe Infirmary in a similar way to the established college type. We believe that there is a demonstrable connection between the general programme of the two building types and we will show how various architects, in Oxford and elsewhere, consciously imitated each other in their development of different buildings.

Queen’s College

Queen’s College originally developed as a series of enclosed quadrangles opening off St Louis des Invalides, Paris Palazzo Pitti, Florence Queen’s Lane. Loggan’s view dated 1675 shows the old entrance, the fully bounded quads and the kitchen garden enclosed by the old demesne wall in the top right hand side of the drawing. This shows the evolution of the college type frozen at a significant moment. The drawing is a good illustration of the accretive nature of the development of the college enclosure, with buildings of different ages and styles gradually replacing the old stone enclosing walls.

In 1708-09, Nicholas Hawksmoor prepared plans for new buildings facing the High Street under the direction of the Provost, William Lancaster. His many drawings were almost interchangeable with drawings he was preparing for the neighbouring All Souls. In the designs for Queen’s College, the Hall and Chapel were placed between the old and new quadrangles. Kerry Downes says, “this arrangement may have been reintroduced to Oxford by Hawksmoor from Wren’s planning of Chelsea Hospital, but Oxford had offered Wren a precedent in his old college, the Jacobean Wadham.” 1

Royal Chelsea Hospital Palais de Luxembourg, Paris Palais Royal, Paris Hawksmoor’s plans were too much for the College and they turned to Clarke and Townsend to produce new designs. The open fronted quadrangle is still clearly influenced by the Chelsea Hospital. The chapel and Hall are placed endto with long residential flanking ranges. For Tyack, “There is a strong resemblance to Christopher Wren’s Chelsea Hospital (1682-92), but by using stone rather than brick Clarke and Townsend reached a grander effect”2.

The screening of the front court imitates the Cour d’Honneuer of Parisian hotels like the Palais de Luxembourg. Aycliffe says of the front quadrangle that it was, “erected on the plan of the Luxemburgh House” 3. The front screen to the High Street took a long time to complete and, fittingly, Hawksmoor who was brought in to improve the original design completed it. It is interesting to return to the Chelsea Hospital designed by Christopher Wren. Margeret Whinney says, “there is little doubt that the idea was based on Louis XIV’s

1 Downes, Kerry, Hawksmoor, Second Edition, 1987, Thames and Hudson, p.73 2 Tyack, Geoffrey, Oxford An architectural guide, 1998, Oxford University Press, p154 3 Tyack, Ibid., p153 Queen’s College

40 foundation of the Invalides in 1670; indeed, in 1677 the Duke of Monmouth asked Louis’ minister, Louvois, for plans of the French hospital.” 4. The key innovation that Wren made to this emerging building type was the open three-sided court. Whinney says, “The arrangement of these is notable humanitarian, for Wren wished the old men to have as much light and air as possible.’5. She identifies its origins and influence, “The logical planning of the main block with Hall and Chapel which are similar on the exterior, is not, as has sometimes been suggested, derived from a medieval college plan, though at Wren’s old college, Wadham, the Hall is at one side of the entrance balanced by and antechapel on the other… as will be seen he was to use it again in his first project for Greenwich Hospital, and it was to be copied by other men at the Queen’s College and All Souls at Oxford.” 6

What is evident from these descriptions is the interplay of ideas between the newly emerging form of the secular institutional hospital, the Parisian hotels particulier and 1. St Louis des Invalides, Paris 2. Palazzo Pitti, Florence the Oxford College in the late 17th and early 18th Centuries. The spatial organisation of the building type is derived from the underlying function. It is not surprising to see two kinds of enclosed residential institution, with shared communal rooms and more secluded sleeping quarters, following the same basic spatial organisation.

When the Radcliffe Infirmary was designed in 1759, it followed a standard English Palladian model. As the site developed over the next two centuries it showed a basic form of organisation that is similar to a college like Queen’s. The 1939 plan reveals a court at the front, enclosed by railings to the street. To the north is the enclosed quadrangle of the Nurses’ Accommodation and to the west there is a long range of lying in wards looking into enclosed gardens. We are not trying to argue any direct

4 Whinney, Margaret, Wren, 1971, Thames and Hudson, p146 5 Whinney, Ibid., p147

6 Whinney, Ibid., p148 3. Royal Chelsea Hospital 4. Palais du Luxembourg, Paris

The Radcliffe Infirmary 5. Palais Royal, Paris 6. Queen’s College Oxford

41 4 Public and Private Realm 4.6 Spatial typologies and the development of the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter

The Observatory and Infirmary sit as principal buildings within an enclosed landscape The Infirmary expands within the defined walled boundary

The Observatory and the Infirmary are the principal buildings which sit as objects in a landscape enclosed by a St Paul’s church is built half way along the west boundary wall. The Infirmary is extended further to the east forming demesne wall. The Observatory gardens have a solid boundary wall around the whole site with a few small gated a three-sided courtyard facing onto the Woodstock Road. Additional buildings extend behind the infirmary to the west openings for access. and are built up against the existing walls. The demesne wall is replaced by railings in front of the Church and the Infirmary giving a greater street presence to these buildings.

Enclosed Observatory / Infirmary site Public / University buildings

Enclosed college with secure perimeter Accessible public space

Boundary / demesne walls 42 The continued expansion of the Infirmary layout echoes that of a typical college, with enclosed Density of the site increases with continued expansion of the Infirmary within the walled courtyards and quads with residential ranges beyond boundary

Additional buildings step back behind the infirmary to the west creating a series of enclosed gardens. These buildings Rapid expansion of the Infirmary site continues within the walled site perimeter. The density of development obscures are more private in nature and are set back deeper into the site. The development of the Infirmary to the east forms a the previously more defined sequence of buildings and spaces. courtyard and an enclosed quad. Either side of the Infirmary site, Somerville College and Green Templeton College are the enclosed Colleges. The development of the Infirmary can be likened to the layout of a typical oxford college - a sequence of enclosed courtyards and quads with residential ranges beyond. The demesne wall is further modified with new openings made as required by the new buildings behind.

43 5 Approaches to development 5.0 Introduction

This section of the report considers different ways in which the Walton Street wall could be treated as part of the University’s proposals for the development of the ROQ site. Different approaches to the treatment of the wall are put forward here in order to understand their relative merits and demerits, rather than as a final proposals for development.

The section looks first at retention of the whole or part of the structure andthen considers complete or partial removal. In doing this, we will explore some of the types of intervention that might be proposed in relation to development of plots lining Walton Street. The following options will be discussed.

1. Retain the wall as it is today. 2. Retain the wall with modifications. 3. Retain the wall with engaged buildings. 4. Retain the wall built into new buildings. 5. Lower the wall. 6. Remove the wall completely. 7. Remove the wall but retain key sections.

44 5 Approaches to development 5.1 Retain the wall as it is today

The boundary wall has historic significance in its own right, as a demesne wall defining a narrow street to what is effectively a back garden wall. This front door, back door the Observatory and Infirmary sites and as a part of the streetscape contributing to mismatch weakens the legibility of the setting. This juxtaposition is far more relaxed in A the setting of listed buildings along Walton Street. In this context an argument can be the northern section of the wall where it faces houses and small cafes across Walton made in favour of retaining the wall as it is today. Other advantages of keeping the Street. wall in its current form are the retention of historic building fabric with its own material character, communal associations and the sense of time passing. The coherence There are practical difficulties to address if the wall is to remain unaltered. There are of the streetscape may arguably benefit from the continuation of the wall bounding limited existing openings in the wall, the positions of which do not necessarily support Somerville College. the best use of the site beyond. In addition the original level of the site behind the wall varies in relation to Walton Street and these factors affect how access into the The retention of the wall in its entirety in its current form would preserve the existing site is organised. Without forming new openings in the wall, the ‘front doors’ of new spatial typology of the Observatory and Infirmary sites as enclosed or private parts of buildings lining Walton Street would lie within the site, concealed from the legible Perspective the city. Our examination of spatial types in Oxford shows that the high enclosing wall public realm. is almost always associated with colleges and other private or deliberately secluded residential complexes. If the wall were retained, new buildings would be concealed To some extent the argument in favour of retaining the Walton Street wall unaltered behind it. It would also reinforce a reading of the ROQ site as having a front entrance is an argument against changing this part of the city. It can equally be argued that from Woodstock Road and a back entrance on Walton Street, in which reading Walton the demolition of the hospital buildings and clearance of the ROQ site has already Street remains a secondary north-south route through the city. brought about a change that the retention of the wall will not arrest.

While the scale and length of the wall allow it to sit comfortably with the Oxford University Press and St. Paul’s church as a piece of built form, the mismatch of frontal presentation causes some confusion, particularly in the southern section directly across from the Press building. The grand bays and portico of the Press face across

Section A

St Paul’s PCT Block K Block L

Elevation

St Paul’s Block L PCT Block K 7

Walton Street

Plan

45 5 Approaches to development 5.2 Retain the wall with modifications

The general issues associated with retaining the wall are dealt with in Section 4.1. The wall is not listed and its value under the four criteria defined by English Heritage (Historical, Evidential, Aesthetic, Communal) is probably low to medium. The history of the wall does not show a stable artefact with a clearly designed form. It is rather a vernacular boundary construction that has been altered, repaired, filled in and rebuilt A frequently to suit practical purposes. Therefore, keeping the wall and altering it to suit the new uses behind it would be perfectly consistent with its historical development.

The ROQ masterplan shows the area behind the wall divided into alternating streets, paths and new University buildings. Following the precedent of the development of the Infirmary complex, we might expect to see the wall altered by creating new openings, filling old ones and even realigning it to marry it with the form and function of streets and buildings adjacent to it. In the past these changes have often been achieved by reusing the old material of the wall, although we must be aware of the poor weathering of Headington stone. Using this principle, we could retain the wall as shown in the adjacent plan, but reorganise it so that it better serves the uses behind.

By realigning openings in the wall, we would allow the new buildings to present their Perspective front entrances to Walton Street in a way that synchronises with the openings in the wall in front of them This will improve the legibility of the setting. We should comment that, based on our typological investigations, the high wall will still signify a private or enclosed institution like a college rather than an open University institution. This typological confusion is untypical of Walton Street where the mixed character is Section A dependant on each building being what it seems.

St Paul’s PCT Block K Block L

Elevation

St Paul’s Block L PCT Block K

Walton Street

Plan

46 5 Approaches to development 5.3 Retain the wall with engaged buildings

The general issues associated with retaining the wall in a modified or unmodified form are dealt with in Section 4.1 and 4.2.

This option is a variation of Option 4.2, but rather than the buildings being set back from the wall, they could be built up to the wall forming small forecourts or enclosed A gardens behind. Smaller intermediate buildings could mediate between larger set back blocks and the smaller scale of the existing wall.

The advantage of this option is that the buildings might appear to be better integrated with the wall and the juxtaposition of scale and materials might be less jarring. However this is achieved, the buildings will still feel closer to the enclosed type than the open institution. This option is not consistent with historic analysis shown in Section 4.

Perspective

Section A

St Paul’s PCT Block K Block L

Elevation

St Paul’s PCT Block K Block L

Walton Street

Plan

47 5 Approaches to development 5.4 Retain the wall built into new buildings

The existing wall could become the enclosure for new buildings at ground floor level. Therefore they would share the same building line as the existing wall. This would literally keep the wall with modified openings in its existing alignment. A

One difficulty with this approach is that the wall is relatively close to the street and the portico of St. Paul’s Church is significantly set back from it. If taller buildings are aligned with the wall, this may significantly change the scale of the space on Walton Street and it would dramatically alter the presence of St. Paul’s. There would be very little activity visible within the building and, with the narrow pavement; this might present a rather forbidding aspect.

It is unlikely that the wall would actually be kept in its present state. It is not consistently stable and the ground is built up behind it. The material used is Headington stone and it is very weathered in places. It is likely that the wall would end up being rebuilt as a replica of its existing form with new materials replacing damaged old ones. This would preserve the semblance of the wall but not its substance.

Perspective

Section A

St Paul’s PCT Block K Block L

4

Elevation

St Paul’s PCT Block K Block L

Walton Street

Plan

48 5 Approaches to development 5.5 Lower the wall

It would be possible to keep the lower section of the wall along Walton Street but to demolish the upper portion, so that the line of the wall is remembered without it compromising the overall sense of openness at the threshold of the ROQ site. The wall may be left as a low feature or railings may surmount it. This is similar to the development of the wall in front of the Infirmary facing east onto the Woodstock Road. A A low wall with railings on top flanked by low pavilions replaced the older demesne wall shown in the 1775 map. This created a semi public Cour d’Honneur between the Infirmary and the street.

This option would preserve the open space of Walton Street while remembering the older presence of the wall. It would diminish, but not get rid of, the sense that the ROQ is an enclosed or private enclave. The weakness of the strategy is that it neither preserves the wall nor properly opens the site. The public concern expressed in relation to the installation of gates at each end of the southern east-west link on the ROQ site typifies the psychological and visual issues associated with gates and railings.

Perspective

Section A

St Paul’s PCT Block K Block L

Elevation

St Paul’s Block L PCT 7

Walton Street

Plan

49 5 Approaches to development 5.6 Remove the wall completely

The analysis in Section 3 of this report presents the ROQ development plan as A comparison of the spatial models shown on xxx and yyy (see the illustration opposite) having an open spatial character that does not follow the closed collegiate model. The shows that the removal of the wall would bring about a spatial organisation markedly proposals include the deliberate formation of pedestrian through-routes that promote similar to the Central University Area where a breach in the closed wall of colleges B the permeability of the new city quarter and enable east-west travel through this part along High Street allows the public to flow through and past the important University of the city. and religious institutions. The yellow, permeable zone is strongly bookmarked by impenetrable blue colleges north and south. This can be easily compared to the way These proposals represent a significant change in the use and spatial character of in which the ROQ could be allowed to become an open realm held between Somerville the site, the development of which is now underway. The boundary condition should and Green Templeton Colleges. Following this model, the enclosed colleges are be designed to support this new function and should maximise the openness and walled and the open realm presents its buildings frontally or in the round. This is permeability of the site edge. consistent with the existing spatial typology of the city.

Furthermore, it seems unlikely that good urban design in most circumstances would If there is a marked gain in spatial legibility and therefore intuitive navigation, there is favour a blank boundary wall as a site edge condition that makes a positive contribution a loss of historic fabric. We recognise the need to balance the significance of heritage to the public realm. Removal of the wall would support the perception of ROQ as an assets with practical requirements and design of public space. Perspective open and accessible part of the city. New buildings along the western boundary could be designed to face Walton Street following the frontal spatial configuration of the University Press and St. Pauls.

There is a distinct advantage to having an institutional building with a direct frontal relationship to the street directly opposite the Oxford University Press. The benefit would be reciprocal. In addition, this is an important new junction in the city where important east west and north south routes intersect. It signals the presence of the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter for people moving north from the city centre. Section B

St Paul’s PCT Block K Block L

Elevation

St Paul’s Block L PCT Block K

Walton Street

Plan

50 5 Approaches to development 5.7 Remove the wall but retain key sections

The Walton Street Wall of the ROQ is not consistent along its length. We know that the most elegant section and it is in the best condition. The section of Walton Street the wall around the Observatory estate is older than the Infirmary wall, which was that sits most easily with the wall is adjacent to this northern length. It might therefore constructed some time after the Infirmary was built. The wall is far more substantial at be appropriate to retain the spatial type of the enclosed college-hospital here. The the north end and it peters away at the south. Where there are existing breaches in historic fabric would have new life breathed into it by sympathetic use. the wall, the quality of their framing is variable. Block K, Block L and St. Paul’s Church will be developed as significant public The wall sets up different relationships with the existing streetscape. The northern institutions marking the threshold of a new permeable urban quarter. This suggests section of the wall sits easily with the houses opposite. The southern section sets up a spatial typology similar to the Central University Area or South Parks Road. These an uncomfortable contrast to the grand east façade of the Oxford University Press. buildings suit a direct frontal presentation to the street. The setting of St. Paul’s Church The axial and frontal presentation of St. Paul’s Church invites a balanced composition and the Oxford University Press would be enhanced by allowing them to participate in on each side but symmetry would not work because of the variable nature of the a cluster of clearly public buildings facing each other with their front doors. The sense street front opposite. In any case, Walton Street does not invite grand symmetry. of the ROQ having a Woodstock Road front and a Walton Street back would be lost and this would be a benefit. Perspective The buildings on the ROQ site adjacent to the wall differ in their functions and their level of public engagement. St. Paul’s church is not a part of the site but it will appear Our last drawing (opposite) shows the ROQ in yellow flanked by Somerville to be part of the same urban composition. Whatever its current or future use, its College, Green Templeton College in blue and the PCT in blue/green. This diagram visual presentation is protected by listing and therefore it will always appear as a demonstrates how we would retain the spatial legibility of the Walton Street front of civic or religious basilica with a strong frontal aspect. It has no wall in front of it. The the ROQ in relation to the pattern of the whole city. Primary Care Trust building on the north end is an open public building but it requires significant visual screening to protect the privacy of patients. The buildings on Block If the wall is demolished in front of Plot L and Plot K it may be possible to instruct L and Block K will be University departments and faculties and they are likely to be participating architects to develop a formal material design for the ground floor which seeking substantial engagement with the public life of the city. remembers the presence of the wall and create a band of continuity between PCT and Somerville College. The buildings can then be set back to the line of St. Paul’s. Looking at the wall, the street and the buildings on the western boundary of the ROQ, an interesting observation emerges. The PCT is a semi public building that can be Top right: Perspective sketch showing the removal of the Walton Street Wall but retaining seen as a remnant of the previous life of the Infirmary site. It has similar requirements key sections, looking towards the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter (ROQ) Right: Section B, showing the typical spatial relationship between the new ROQ buildings to the hospital in relation to seclusion and privacy. The wall adjacent to the PCT is and Walton Street

St Paul’s PCT Block K Block L

Elevation

St Paul’s Block L PCT Block K 7

Walton Street

Plan

51 6 Conclusion

This document examines the existing spatial character of Walton Street, looking at how enclosed colleges, public institutions, shops and private houses present themselves to the street and how this in turn influences our perception of place. Space here is understood as the sense of openness or enclosure, but it also encompasses our intuitive sense of how to act or to navigate in a given situation. We observe that Walton Street has a patchwork character determined by relatively unstructured piecemeal development over time.

We looked at the overall spatial character of Oxford and observed two dominant typologies, the open facing public institution and the enclosed college or secluded residential institution. The interplay of these two types largely determines our sense of where we can go in the city. We saw how Walton Street and the ROQ site have a mix of enclosed colleges and open public realm. We compared this balance to South Parks Road and the Central University Area.

Looking at the historic development of the Radcliffe Infirmary, we compared the spatial organisation of the hospital and the enclosed Oxford colleges based on function and historic development. We noted certain similarities in use that produced comparably similar spatial types. The interplay of private, inward looking bedrooms and shared communal functions organised around representational semi public courts was common to both buildings and influenced their historic development. In particular, the need to bring sun and air into bedrooms surrounding protected courts was held in common. This allowed us to characterise the development of the Radcliffe Infirmary as typologically similar to the enclosed college.

We observed that high demesne walls are highly characteristic of enclosed colleges in Oxford and are rarely found in civic, religious or University institutions. This is because of the public facing nature of these buildings. So the one spatial type has enclosing walls and the other does not. In changing the Radcliffe Infirmary to the ROQ, we move from an enclosed residential environment, dependant on seclusion, to an open public realm reliant on legible public space. This offers a strong case for the removal of the wall along the western boundary of the ROQ on Walton Street.

We then turned to the historic, evidential, aesthetic and communal values associated with the wall. We concluded that they have low to medium significance based on age, materials, evidence of craftsmanship, illustration of passing time and popular communal associations. These need to be balanced against any spatial analysis.

Taking these factors into account we looked at various options for retaining and demolishing the wall. Our recommendation is that the northern section of the wall should be kept because it signifies the secluded enclosure of the Primary Care Trust and its connection back to the old Infirmary; the construction is high quality and this length of wall sits well with its neighbours, enhancing the setting. The rest of the wall should be demolished, allowing the new public facing University institutions to take their place in the existing grouping of Oxford University Press and St. Paul’s Church. We believe that new and old buildings will benefit from this arrangement. We suggest that participating architects should be asked to consider a ground floor wall treatment that remembers the scale and materials of the old construction.

52 53