Articles
Fountains Hall Redevelopment
The Next Stage
From November Fountains Hall will receive a significant upgrade , improving its provision for sports , spirituality and the arts
Peter Swift , Vice Master
Architects drawings of the planned improvements to Fountains Hall , for the ground floor , LEFT , and the roof , RIGHT
Fountains Hall was originally conceived in the 1960 ’ s and constructed in 1971 as a multi-functional space for the College . One of its original aims was as a way to boost the College ’ s conference trade , providing a dedicated space in which that activity could take place during the summer vacations . It currently provides recreational space for the College including the chapel , main hall with a raised stage area , two music practice rooms , a kitchen , a small breakout space , a small office and toilet facilities . It was built when the College population was around 300 , whereas now we have over 1000 students , including 465 resident on-site . The increasing pressure on space has been further compounded by the introduction of higher fire and safety standards . For example , fire regulations now limit the Main Hall ’ s capacity to 60 and the kitchen is no longer in use , because the equipment does not comply with safety regulations . The building also fails to satisfy College aspirations for attracting a more diverse student body . It was constructed on two levels , with no level access to the kitchen , breakout space , music practice rooms , stage or toilets , which means that access for wheelchair users is limited to the main hall , the chapel and the office . The future development and refurbishment of Fountains Hall was thus a key part of the planned second phase of the Jubilee Development Project , initiated in 2007 to celebrate the College ’ s 50th Anniversary in
2009 . Phase one of the project , completed in 2010-11 , incorporated much-needed extensions to both the Junior Common Room and Victor Watts Library . This was complemented in 2013 , with a small extension to the Oswald accommodation block to improve the College gym facilities . Further fundraising by the College through the Trust , alongside matched funding from the University , for the improvement of student experience facilitates , has meant that we have been able to commission plans for the extension and refurbishment of the building . The primary aim has been to create a centre for arts and culture to match the expectations of our students , in line with University policies relating to the arts , outreach and disability access . In recent weeks , the go ahead for this refurbishment has been given , and we hope to commence this later in the calendar year . A steering committee , with representation from across the College community , has developed plans , as shown below , in conjunction with our appointed architects , Atkins . The refurbishment will :
- Provide a larger Main Hall and stage , for the staging of both plays and sports practice . By using portable staging , the flexibility of the space as a whole will be enhanced , and the design can be in-line with current fire regulations allowing a significant increase to capacity .
- Increase the number of music practice
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