Two Purcell projects recognised at the Oxford Preservation Trust Awards

Purcell is delighted to have two projects recognised once again at the Oxford Preservation Trust (OPT) Awards. The Undercroft Bar received a certificate and St Nicolas Church, Abingdon, received a letter of commendation. Purcell has previously won with the Radcliffe Humanities Building and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

The Undercroft is a Grade II listed bar that was desperately in need of modernisation. It’s located within the lower level of the Lee Building at Christ Church and was formally used for dissections as part of the Anatomy School. Purcell upgraded the area to improve access and build a new bar and facilities making better use of the space.

The cobbled area outside the Undercroft was renovated to provide level access and enable the first phase of the scheme to install a new lift to serve the ground and first floors of the building.

By relocating facilities to the north of the basement, the vaulted space can be better appreciated. The modern bar and seating area was designed to complement the backdrop of the building’s historic architecture. One of the key goals during the works was to expose as much as possible of the vaulted area, with the modern addition of the bar designed to be reversible in the future without further loss of historic fabric.
The judges were particularly impressed with the excellent workmanship, design and signage and noted that the bar was once the “most dingy, dirty, scruffy bar in Oxford” and has been transformed into “now the most wonderful (bar) in Oxford”.

St Nicolas Church in Abingdon is a Grade I listed and occupies a prominent location in the centre of town. The project involved the reorganisation of the entrance in order to make the church fully accessible. It was praised by the judging panel as “a well-crafted and inviting entrance”.

Project Architect, Alain Torri, commented: “We are delighted to receive this certificate for such a delightful space. Purcell respects the work the Oxford Preservation Trust and this award further proves our ability to expertly transform historic spaces.”