Work on the striking Life & Mind Building at Oxford University is set to go ahead this Summer after councillors approved the 25,000 sq m scheme.
The £202 million development, designed by international architectural practice NBBJ, replaces the asbestos-riddled Tinbergen Building, on the corner of St Cross Rd and South Parks Rd. It is the biggest building project in the history of the university.
Oxford City Council’s west area planning committee voted by eight-nought with one abstention to approve the application at its January 19 meeting.
The building will bring together departments of Experimental Psychology, Plant Sciences and Zoology. The latter two will merge to form a Biology department upon moving in.
There will be space for the public to attend events including a 350-seat lecture theatre, wet and dry labs, teaching space and offices. A public café will feature on the ground floor.
Cllr John Tanner told the meeting: “This seems to me to be an outstanding building, much better than what was there before. I think it will underwrite Oxford University’s science efforts for decades to come. I think it is absolutely fantastic news.”
Cllr Mike Gotch said: “There is no doubt this is an outstanding design and I congratulate the architects and the planning officers who have worked damn hard to get it right.”
Completion of the hotel is on course for late 2024.
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