Here is a tentative list of interesting places we intend to visit this year. The visits will probably start at the end of April so that we can avoid most of the harsh weather if you are interested in any of these attach your name to this post and maybe add a comment or two about which places you think would be most interesting from an architectural point of view:
The actual attendance post will be created in a couple of months time:
1. A guided tour of four (or maybe five) impressive individualistic structures in Central Oxford. Including:
● Nazarin Shah Conference Centre at Worcester College. We have been here before but this time we shall just want to stress the individualistic architectural style and the quality of craftsmanship involved in the construction and indeed what is for an Oxford College a very impressive setting.
● Blavatnik School of Government, Walton Street. Again we have been here at least twice before but it's such a unique and imposing building with totally individualistic Style that it cries out to be included in this grouping of four distinctive buildings. With luck we should be able to get onto the social gathering area on the roof.
● Zena Hadid 'Conmectway' at St. Anthony's College. Impressively individualistic styling again from this world renowned architect.
● the 'f'ish-bow'l bar at Keble College. An impressively contrasting snake-like building with sloping walls.
The walk connecting all four buildings is just over a mile in length and the intention will be to end up at the Lamb and Flag for a drink.
2. Yarnton Manor: Yarnton, a small village between North Oxford and Woodstock, is home to a surprisingly pristine version of Jacobean architecture called Yarnton Manor. Those of us who have been to other examples of Jacobian architecture such as Chastleton House and Rowsham House we'll find it interesting to make comparisons here.
The building is currently owned by an Oxford hall of residents who do not have a full-time bursa But contact has been made.
3. A brief look at "art deco" in London: including St. John's Wood underground station ( and the apartment building next door called The Terraces) and Florin Court in the Barbican. We will probably need to travel in by train to Paddington or take the Oxford Tube coach to Victoria and travel by tube to St John's Wood.( Florin Court is a nine story building you may recognize as it often appears in episodes of Agatha Christie's Poirot).
4. A stroll down Piccadilly, London: from the Hard Rock Cafe to the statue of Eros. And maybe afternoon tea at the Ritz. We will identify and discuss each of the buildings discussing especially it's clear or obscure architectural style.
5. One more College; Christchurch or Baliol. We have in the past done over a dozen colleges in Oxford but never either of these two substantial and architecturally somewhat different colleges.
If you are interested in any of the above just register your name on this Meetup post If you have any other architecturally interesting suggestions just drop me a direct message and likewise if there's any particular venue you would like to host your self, I can help organizing things with the relevant bursar or property manager and coordinate matters with our friendly expert Geoffrey Tyack if required.
