STUDENTS got a one-off opportunity to meet the maker of their new learning quarters.

The John Henry Brookes Building, part of the Oxford Brookes University campus in Gipsy Lane, Headington, opened in February.

Its designer and architect Richard Jobson, from Design Engine Architects, gave a tour of the building on Wednesday to explain to students the building’s award-winning design.

He said of the £132m development: “It extends and connects two existing buildings on the campus.

“There is now a courtyard with shops, as well as new lecture theatres and learning rooms for students.

“In terms of the choice of materials we used weathered steel and a lot of specially designed glass with patterns embedded in them.”

He said he imagined the building becoming a social hub for students, staff and visitors, Mr Jobson said: “It includes a social learning area as well as connecting with shops and other areas.

“It also connects to John Henry Brookes because it’s named after the founder, it connects everything.”

The building won a 2014 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) South Regional Award and was named the Building of the Year in the region.

The glass-fronted building has also been recognised for being highly sustainable, with photovoltaic panels and rainwater recycling.

The awards came after initial plans for the building proved controversial.

Local property developer Martin Young objected to the height of the building and took the case to the Court of Appeal but dropped it in 2012 after being faced with large legal costs.

Mr Jobson, 49, said: “The project started in 2007 – it has taken six or seven years. It’s part of a complete reconstruction of Oxford Brookes’s main campus.

“There were a lot of issues getting it through planning but we eventually managed to get it through.

“It has been pretty amazing. A £130m project cost would be a big project for anybody, and we’re a relatively small practice.

“It has been a very long journey, but we’ve had fantastic support from the client.

“The university is completely behind us on the building and design.”

RIBA judges described it as “simply brilliant,” adding: “Despite being a big building with many points of entry and routes through, nevertheless it is very easy to navigate and move around, including very easy access for all abilities.

“The space made us all wish we could go back to university again.”

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