{"id":418,"date":"2025-10-01T10:30:46","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T10:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scientificmediagroup.com\/?p=418"},"modified":"2025-10-02T16:09:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T16:09:46","slug":"hopkins-architects-arranges-university-of-oxford-arts-centre-around-four-storey-atrium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.scientificmediagroup.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/01\/hopkins-architects-arranges-university-of-oxford-arts-centre-around-four-storey-atrium\/","title":{"rendered":"Hopkins Architects arranges University of Oxford arts centre around four-storey atrium"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Schwarzman<\/div>\n

London studio Hopkins Architects<\/a> has completed a performing arts<\/a> and education centre at the University of Oxford<\/a>, which features a four-storey atrium and a Passivhaus concert hall<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Set to open on 13 October, the 25,300-square-metre Schwarzman Centre unites seven faculties of the university<\/a>‘s Humanities Division in one building, alongside the Institute for Ethics in AI and the new Bodleian Humanities Library.<\/p>\n

Alongside three upper floors of teaching and research facilities, the centre also contains spaces for dance, film and theatre.<\/p>\n

\"Exterior
Hopkins Architects has completed a centre for the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This includes a 250-seat theatre and a 500-seat concert hall. According to Hopkins Architects<\/a>, the latter is the world’s first Passivhaus concert hall.<\/p>\n

It was designed as part of a wider sustainability strategy for the project, which aims to have the entire building meet Passivhaus standards and the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard.<\/p>\n

“The Schwarzman Centre unites Oxford’s Humanities in a welcoming, sustainable landmark,” the studio said.<\/p>\n

\"View
Clipsham stone and brick were chosen to blend into the historical context<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“It strengthens interdisciplinarity, opens the University to the City, and provides a new cultural hub, creating an inspiring, flexible, and enduring home for dialogue, research, and performance,” added Hopkins Architects.<\/p>\n

“On track to achieve Passivhaus certification in 2025, it will be the largest Passivhaus scheme in England and the world’s first Passivhaus concert hall.”<\/p>\n

The Schwarzman Centre was funded by the American businessman and project’s namesake, Stephen Schwarzman, who contributed \u00a3185 million towards the development.<\/p>\n

\"Great
The building is organised around a four-storey hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clipsham stone and brick define the building’s cream-toned exterior, which was chosen by the studio to “sit comfortably in its historic setting”.<\/p>\n

Framed by landscaped gardens, the centre has a collonaded front elevation and is punctuated by gridded glazing on the upper floors.<\/p>\n

The facilities are arranged around the Great Hall, which is a central four-storey atrium flanked by a double-height lobby and entrance arcades at each end.<\/p>\n