St Catherine’s College RAAC Roof Works: Update
Conserving a Grade I Listed Landmark
We’re pleased to share a progress update from our RAAC roof replacement project at St Catherine’s College, University of Oxford, where careful protection measures are now underway at the Wolfson Library, part of the original Arne Jacobsen-designed estate.
Built in the 1960s and recognised as a Grade I listed example of modernist architecture, the college’s roof structures were found to contain Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) - a lightweight material widely used mid-century but now understood to pose structural risks without replacement.
The Wolfson Library has been meticulously boarded and protected on site to ensure its important architectural character and interior fabric are preserved as works progress to replace the RAAC roofs across several key buildings. This careful staged approach reflects the dual challenge of delivering essential structural remediation while respecting one of Oxford’s most distinguished post-war architectural ensembles.
We will continue to share updates as the project unfolds and moves into subsequent phases of construction.
