Located within the prestigious Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, The Ratan Tata Building Somerville College, University of Oxford represents a sensitive yet bold architectural intervention, integrating heritage, sustainability, and contemporary design. As the new permanent home for the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD), the building will serve as a hub for academic collaboration and research excellence, further enriching the distinguished academic environment of Somerville College.

Somerville College, University of Oxford
Oxford
700m2

“Our approach was to create a building that not only meets the evolving needs of modern academia but also celebrates Somerville’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and interdisciplinary collaboration. The result is an exemplar of thoughtful, sustainable design that sits proudly within its historic context while advancing the College’s vision for a vibrant, forward-thinking future.”

6 Tutor rooms
1 Seminar room
1 Board room
1 Chai Ideas room
2 Research rooms
A flexible event hall and roof terrace
An internal link connecting back to the existing College building across the ROQ

  • The design prioritises sustainability, utilising Passivhaus principles to seek to achieve a Net Zero carbon building in operation
  • Sensitively complements both the historic and contemporary buildings that form the College setting
  • A versatile educational hub, featuring flexible spaces for teaching, study, and events
  • Provides a new connection between the public landscape of the Blavatnik Centre and Schwartzman Centre for the Humanities
“This building is the fruit of many conversations, hopes, and dreams over the past decade. Now it will stand as a permanent legacy to the life of a remarkable man and a dear friend to Somerville. I am deeply grateful to the Tata Group for enabling this tribute to Mr. Tata and cementing Somerville’s place as a world-class academic institution.” Baroness Royall (Principal of Somerville College)

Client: Somerville College
Project Manager & Planning Consultant: Bidwells
Engineering (M&E) & Sustainability: Skelly & Couch
Structural Engineer: London Structures Lab
Landscape: Townshend Landscape Architects
Facade Engineer: Eckersley O'Callaghan
Building Regulations Consultant: Socotec UK
Fire Consultant: Bureau Veritas

Related work

City of London School Goldsmiths Hub RHACC Ortus École Bleue
The Ratan Tata Building: Material Palette
The Ratan Tata Building: Atrium stair ground
The Ratan Tata Building: Atrium stair landing
The Ratan Tata Building: Teaching room
The Ratan Tata Building: The Hall
Mr. Ratan Tata, Sara Kalim, Baroness Royall, Sidarth Arora “This building is the fruit of many conversations, hopes, and dreams over the past decade. Now it will stand as a permanent legacy to the life of a remarkable man and a dear friend to Somerville.” Baroness Royall
Presentation model
Presentation model
Visualisation
Design development booklet
Design development booklet
Visualisation Internal view from Second Floor landing looking through oculus to ROQ beyond
Plan Third floor
Plan First floor
Plan Ground floor
Plan Second floor
Model development
Concept Design Ground Floor Plan, highlighting connection to Somerville College
Concept Design Sketch diagrams highlighting key moves adopted by developed design response
Concept Design Development Sketches

The Ratan Tata Building