We use cookies to personalize and improve your experience on our site. Visit our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to learn more. You can opt out of some cookies by adjusting your browser settings. More information on how to do this can be found in the cookie policy. By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies.

Ashmolean Museum

Rick Mather Architects, Oxford, 2009

 

Subscribe now to instantly view this image

Subscribe to the Architects’ Journal (AJ) for instant access to the AJ Buildings Library, an online database of nearly 2,000 exemplar buildings in photographs, plans, elevations and details.

Already a subscriber? Sign in

Main circulation staircase 

Andy Matthews (website)     Download Original

  • Main circulation staircase    
  • Ashmolean atrium     
  • View through atrium across to galleries    
  • View down through atrium to galleries    
  • Walkways linking galleries    
  • The Chantrey Wall     
  • Main circulation staircase lit at night    
  • Low level lighting illuminates the staircase    
  • Secondary staircase and walkway    
  • Naturally lit staircase    
  • Naturally lit staircase and atrium    
  • Gallery space    
  • Gallery space    
  • Double height gallery space    
  • Gallery space with cabinets designed by Metaphor    
  • View through gallery to atrium    
  • Display cabinets designed by Metaphor    
  • One of the two staircases that rise through the galleries    
  • Entrance portico    
  • Main facade    
  • Main facade at dusk    
  • Site plan    
  • Lower ground floor plan    
  • Ground floor plan    
  • First floor plan    
  • Second floor plan    
  • Third floor plan    
  • Fourth floor plan    
  • Section    
  • Section    
  • Sectional perspective    
  • Aerial view of site    
  • Aerial view    
  • Artist    
  • Working detail    
  • Wall section detail    

A six-storey addition to the existing Ashmolean museum, which provides new spaces for one of the most extensive art and archeology collections in the UK

Commissioned by Oxford University the addition provides display space, a new entrance from St Giles, an education centre, conservation studios and loading bay. The museum space is built to modern standards, using an environmentally aware and efficient servicing strategy.

The building is organised by two major axes established by Cockerell (who designed the original Greek Revival Building to which the extension is attached), creating a clear route throughout the building and unifying the entire museum and collection in a coherent manner.

Two staircase lightwells are naturally lit with large windows and roof lights. Natural light is filtered vertically through the building to the lower ground level via inter-connecting, double-height galleries. A new rooftop café terrace gives views over the 'dreaming spires' of Oxford.

Data

  • Begun: Mar 2007
  • Completed: Nov 2009
  • Floor area: 10,000m2
  • Sector: Arts and culture
  • Total cost: £61M
  • Procurement: JCT 98
  • CO2 Emissions: 44.3kg/m2/year
  • Address: Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2PH, United Kingdom

Professional Team

AJBL Sponsor

Armstrong World Industries

A global leader in providing customised, multi material ceiling and wall solutions

Find out more