Towards a Long-Term Solution at St Catherine’s College
Addressing RAAC across a modernist landmark
We are pleased to announce that planning and Listed Building Consent applications have been submitted on behalf of St Catherine’s College, Oxford, to address the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) across multiple Grade I listed buildings on the original Arne Jacobsen campus.
The application responds to a significant structural and heritage challenge: over 8,000 m² of roof structures and more than 5,300 individual RAAC panels have been identified as requiring replacement to ensure the long-term safety and performance of the college’s distinctive modernist buildings.
Access restrictions have already been in place across key spaces — including the Dining Hall, JCR, SCR, Kitchen, Wolfson Library, Bernard Sunley Building and parts of the accommodation blocks — due to concerns about the material’s condition and critical risk classification
A collaborative, heritage-led approach
The proposals, developed following extensive pre-application engagement with Oxford City Council, Historic England, the Twentieth Century Society and the Historic Parks and Gardens Trust, set out a phased remediation strategy that begins with the principal podium buildings before addressing the accommodation blocks in a later application.
The design work aims to balance structural improvement with respect for the campus’s architectural character, preserving Jacobsen’s iconic design while mitigating harm and extending the life of this important cultural and educational asset.
The submission reflects a true collaboration between the College, specialist consultants and heritage stakeholders, and marks a key milestone in bringing the project towards delivery.
