AN £11m complex for undergraduates and prospective students is being created at an Oxford college in the city centre.

Construction firm Beard has been awarded the contract to create a new undergraduate centre at Wadham College in Parks Road, and the first dedicated access facility for welcoming prospective Oxford students.

Beard, which has a long history of building for Oxford University colleges, will construct the Dr Lee Shau Kee Building housing the college’s extensive access and outreach programme.

The new three-storey facility will offer purpose-built space for welcoming schools and hosting Wadham’s innovative access programmes and residential summer schools.

A new three-storey William Doo Undergraduate Centre will also be built, linked by a walkway to the Dr Lee Shau Kee Building.

The project will involve demolishing the above-ground levels of the existing junior common room and 1950s-built Goddard Building.

Wadham College Domestic Bursar Frances Lloyd said: “We are delighted to have appointed Beard to fulfil this exciting new project for Wadham and look forward to working together over the next two years.”

Beard will create 20 bedrooms with en-suites, five of which will be accessible for disabled students. The desks within the assisted rooms will be adjustable in height to suit varying requirements and all rooms will be designed so that wheelchair-users can access the main living area. The scheme will provide shared kitchens, a 50-seat seminar room with partitioning, a meeting room and a music room.

The centre will provide student study areas, social break-out space, student kitchens, a café and bar, an art room and an ‘e-hub’ with administration offices on the top floor.

It will also house a new junior common room where undergraduate students can gather to study, exchange ideas and socialise.

The existing basement level will be refurbished to house bike storage, a laundry room and a band music room. Lifts will provide full access to all four floors, including the basement.

Beard contracts manager Richie Carter said: “We are delighted to be delivering these two fantastic new centres, which will not only improve access to Wadham College and its buildings, but provide students with a modern, welcoming and inclusive learning environment.

“As the construction will be taking place in a live campus environment, our project team will be programming works to minimise their impact on the college’s day-to-day activities.”

Beard said it was intended that the new centres, designed by AL_A Architects, should fit in with the college’s historic surroundings. The development will have a 25 per cent greater area than the college’s existing buildings but significantly lower energy consumption due to energy-saving features, including solar roof panels.