Gort Scott’s design for St Hilda’s College is winner of the Oxford Preservation Trust (OPT) New Building Award, announced during a ceremony that took place this week at St John’s College. The OPT Awards celebrate the contribution that buildings and landscape projects make to Oxford’s character, streets, and green spaces.

Originally won through an invited design competition run by Malcolm Reading Consultants in 2016, the project helped St Hilda’s College realise their vision of creating a new point of arrival and a stronger relationship with the river and the city beyond. Embodying the College values of inclusivity and belonging, the masterplan served to integrate the new buildings into both the urban fabric, natural ecology, and the rich history of Oxford.

The Rev Prof William Whyte, Chairman of the Awards Panel said: ‘This year proved to be extraordinarily rich in projects. Taken together, the judges viewed something like 60 entries: all of them interesting, many of enormous merit, and some of exceptional quality. As we review the winners, we can confidently celebrate the continued commitment of so many people to the preservation and improvement of Oxford’s environment.’