Glencar has marked a construction milestone at Oxford University’s expanding Collections Storage Facility (CSF) in Swindon, with a ceremonial slab pour held on March 5, last Thursday.
The event brought together representatives from Glencar, Ridge, Bidwells and Oxford University’s Bodleian Libraries team, alongside the workforce delivering the project on site.
To commemorate the occasion, Glencar presented Richard Ovenden MBE, who is currently serving as the 25th Bodley’s Librarian, with a small quantity of ceremonial concrete from the pour.
The milestone marks significant progress on the expansion of the prestigious storage facility at South Marston, Swindon, commissioned by Oxford University’s Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM). The specialist development represents a major investment in the long-term preservation of Oxford University’s significant collections.
The project
The project involves the extension of the existing Collections Storage Facility through the construction of a new climate-controlled storage chamber, known as Chamber 5, alongside the development of a Spirit Collection Store (SCS), a dedicated building designed for safe storage of zoological specimens.
The expansion will also increase storage capacity for the Bodleian Libraries’ holdings, which includes more than 10 million books and manuscripts, alongside artefacts from the University’s four museums.
Glencar is delivering the project as main contractor, working alongside Purcell Architects, Bidwells, Ridge and Price & Myers, in collaboration with colleagues across Oxford University’s GLAM institutions.
The project is being delivered over a 69-week programme, construction started in April 2025, and practical completion is scheduled for August 2026.
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