4 minute read
Reimagining Mansfield
The role of Bursar is interesting and varied – and particularly so now. As well as my ‘day job’ of managing the finances, the resources, and the operational teams, I wanted to update you on our recent work to explore a truly ambitious and far-ranging capital redevelopment project at Mansfield.
Clem Brohier Bursar
A new era
Work has begun on the creation of a masterplan for the College site on Mansfield Road.
As alumni, you will know that special feeling of community which students experience when living and studying at College. So many of you have told us Mansfield felt like home. We want our College to continue to be that home-from-home, and a warm, supportive community, for generations of students to come. As we embarked on this project, we had to ask ourselves how to retain everything that makes Mansfield feel like Mansfield, while enhancing the quality of the teaching, learning and living experiences we offer. We also needed to ensure any new development met our expectations for sustainability: physically, operationally, and environmentally.
Crucially, an increase in the number of student bedrooms would mean all Mansfield undergraduates and Visiting Students could live on site for the duration of their studies. We could then also group graduate students together, enabling them to live as a community in Mansfield-owned housing. In addition, increased accommodation out of term would strengthen our commercial offering.
While we are looking at how to make essential updates –such as providing flat access to areas of our Champneys buildings – the main focus of the project would be a transformational reimagining of the South Range: the John Marsh Building and later buildings on the south side of the Quad.
Planning on a large scale
As we have previously reported to alumni, the first step on the project was to find a redevelopment partner. In 2022, we appointed Stories, a BCorp (a company verified to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability) with shared values to Mansfield. Stories is a key partner, as it co-manages the project with me and other senior leadership members at College. We have put in place a project team and hierarchy, reporting to Governing Body, to ensure an effective and collaborative decision-making process.
Following an architectural competition in 2023, thanks to funding from Antonio Bonchristiano (PPE, 1984), award-winning London-based practice Feilden Fowles was appointed as our chosen architect. Interestingly, among other high-profile commissions, Feilden Fowles designed the new dining hall at Homerton College, Cambridge.
There are many other consultants and expert advisers looking at different elements of the site as part of the project: from analysis of tree root structures, to the vital preservation and protections required for the historic parts of our site and the Civil War ramparts on the boundary with New College.
The project is following the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) Plan of Work. We are currently at RIBA Stage 2 (Concept Design) and in January 2025, Governing Body will decide if we should proceed to RIBA Stage 3 – at the end of which formal planning permission is submitted.
Funding and fundraising
We set ourselves an ambitious target for philanthropy to fund the potential redevelopment, and we will also make use of low interest borrowing, offset against the income that the additional student accommodation will provide. It’s rewarding to have had such enthusiastic support for the project already, even ahead of any planning submission. Our heartfelt thanks go to our lead benefactor, Chris Foster (Maths, 1997), as well as Sir Paul Ruddock (Jurisprudence, 1977) and other early supporters of our plans.
Engaging our alumni
We will keep in close touch with you, our alumni, as we progress, and ensure there will be opportunities to see designs and meet the architects and Development Partners in 2025. At later stages, we may again ask you for your views, as we did in November 2023. Thank you to all who submitted them; we have read every comment and are taking your thoughts on board. We are very grateful for your enthusiasm and support. There will be opportunities for alumni to make their mark on any new building, and moments to gather at Mansfield to celebrate project landmarks.
If we go ahead with this ambitious build, please be reassured that we will look after our students and academics as a priority, while any work takes place. A key challenge will be ensuring works have minimal impact on the day-to-day operations of College and are completed in the shortest possible timeframe.
So, there is much more to do. This is an important undertaking, and we are ready for the opportunity. It remains our goal to ensure Mansfield is a leading college in Oxford, well-equipped and well-resourced for future generations.
