Gradel Quadrangles, New College, Oxford

The Gradel Quadrangles at New College (est. 1379) are the first new garden quads to be formed at the college since the nineteenth century. Here we have collaborated with David Kohn Architects (DKA) to create a rich and varied landscape setting, informed by the college’s network of early courtyard spaces, for this new learning community. Alongside new student accommodation, the project contains a student study space, music hall and new facilities for the adjacent New College School, a boys’ preparatory school. A tower and gatehouse complete the composition that has been described by English Heritage as ‘one of the very few instances where contemporary design can be considered genuinely outstanding’.

In 2025, The Gradel Quadrangles at New College, Oxford were named one of ’The World’s Most Beautiful Campuses’ as part of the 2025 Prix Versailles awarded annually by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). More information can be found here