Rafael Vinoly Architects PC (sic) have been chosen as the winner of a competition to develop the architectural design for the Radcliffe Infirmary site on Woodstock Road. The company was chosen from sixty architectural practices from across the world who submitted 'Expressions of Interest' as part of an international design competition launched by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in December 2004.
The 10.5 acre site, to be developed on a £240m budget, will accommodate a number of academic departments, as well as administration, central teaching space, library provision and research facilities. University spokesperson Grace Haydon said that it has not been decided which department will be moved to the new site but did comment, "The development will benefit students by providing them with the very best in teaching and research facilities in the centre of Oxford."
A press release from the Mathematics and Physical Sciences division reveals their desire to relocate the Mathematical Institute. It said, "The acquisition of the Radcliffe Infirmary site creates the opportunity to build a new Institute, large enough to recover the vision of uniting the study and teaching of the subject in Oxford in a single home in the centre of the city."
A spokesperson at Rafael Vinoly said, "We are honoured to be given the chance to participate in the effort to redefine the use of a crucial site for the future of the University of Oxford and create a new and exciting masterplan for the area." The team was not able to give out any more details of the plans as they are still in their early stages.
Tim Murray-Browne, a Magdalen first-year studying Maths and Computer Science, said, "The Maths Institute is really ugly and has dark, dingy lecture rooms. The Radcliffe Infirmary seems a lot prettier with its Georgian architecture so it'd be good if MI gets moved there." He added, "Although the RI site is not as central, it'd be more convenient for me to have everything is under one roof."
The Radcliffe Infirmary is currently used to provide specialist health care for patients, who are to be relocated to the John Radcliffe and Churchill Hospital sites in Headington. The current site has a day clinic for the elderly, many of whom are local residents of North Oxford. Relocation can cause them inconvenience, forcing them to travel to the other side of Oxford to receive care. Elizabeth Neville, a patient at the RI clinic for the elderly, said, "My home is in Summertown so JR will be a lot harder for me to get to. Also, I like the clinic here - it's nice and friendly and has a combination of therapists and doctors on one site. I wish it could stay."
A spokesperson from Radcliffe Infirmary Media and Communication Team said, "The relocation will have only positive impacts. The same services will be offered but there will be new facilities and better environment for the patients. John Radcliffe and Churchill are in Headington which is just outside Oxford and are easier to get to than Radcliffe Infirmary."