Sir – David Hills’s claims (Letters, December 17) that the University of Oxford did not hold a competition for architects to submit designs for the buildings on the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter (ROQ) are simply not true.
The University takes the architecture of its buildings very seriously and there is a set process for the delivery of its capital projects including selection of architects and public consultation on masterplans and building designs.
For the ROQ Masterplan and Mathematics building, the architects were selected by an ‘open’ RIBA International competition held in 2004 and 2005.
Over 60 entries were received by the University resulting in a final shortlist of four architects.
The architect for the Humanities Building was chosen through a similar University competition.
There was a long list of 41 architects, which was reduced to 12.
The University made office visits to all 12 firms before agreeing a shortlist of six.
Mr Hills is concerned that the exhibition with the final designs was only held for two days. However, there were public exhibitions for the ROQ Masterplan and Mathematics Building held in April and May 2007 at the Said Business School and Oxford University Press.
In addition, a public exhibition of all submissions for the Humanities building was held at the Proscholium for a week in April 2008, followed by a public lunchtime seminar held at the Said Business School in April 2008.
We follow a rigorous process of competition and public exhibition to ensure that the University selects the best architects and designs for its capital projects.
More information about the ROQ site plans can be found at www.ox.ac.uk/roq
Professor Anthony Monaco, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Planning and Resources) and Chair of the ROQ Board, University Offices, Oxford
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