Oxford North – An innovation district for science, the city, and the future
Oxford North, currently under development on the northern outskirts of Oxford, is one of the most significant urban development projects in the United Kingdom. The new district combines research, work, housing, and public open spaces into an urban fabric that deliberately fosters exchange between science, business, and society. The goal of the master plan by Fletcher Priest Architects is not to develop a traditional technology park, but rather a vibrant urban building block that fosters innovation as well as quality of life and community. Rethinking the Existing – Spatial Quality Through Materiality
A neighborhood that fosters connectivity
On the approximately 23-hectare site, more than 87,000 m² of laboratory and office space, as well as around 480 apartments, are being built. At the heart of the complex is the „Red Hall“, which connects communal spaces, coworking areas, and public amenities with the adjacent research buildings. Three new parks, a central marketplace, and spacious open spaces create places for people to meet and engage in informal interaction—an essential component of the architectural concept.
The buildings are deliberately oriented toward the surrounding landscape. Visual connections to the historic Wytham Woods, along with a finely tuned open-space concept, anchor the neighborhood within its landscape context and combine urban density with a high quality of life.
Sustainability as a Planning Principle
Oxford North views sustainability not as an additional measure, but as an integral part of the design. The open space concept includes stormwater retention via swales and water basins, significantly reduces water consumption, and simultaneously enhances the ecological quality of the site. A fully electric energy grid with geothermal heat pumps and photovoltaic systems forms the basis of the energy supply and saves more than 21,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually, even in the first construction phase. The concept is complemented by a dense network of walking and biking paths as well as charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, which consistently supports sustainable mobility.
Ceramics as an identity-defining building envelope
The research and office buildings also make a deliberate architectural statement through their use of materials. The KeraTwin® system from AGROB BUCHTAL was chosen for the facades—not as a standard solution, but as a project-specific custom development. The ceramic facade panels were finished with a specially developed glaze. A base in gold anthracite is complemented by a specially developed color coating, lending the buildings an extraordinary depth. Depending on the daylight, the perception of the surface changes, making the facades appear vibrant without losing their calm overall appearance. Thanks to the Hytect finish, the facade will retain its appearance for decades, with virtually no additional maintenance required.
In addition, the facade system has been structurally refined. A specially adapted version of the OmegaV fastening system enables the ceramic elements to be installed in a shingle-like pattern. This is complemented by a panel cross-section developed specifically for the project, which further enhances the sculptural effect of the building envelope.
