This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-37440882

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Vote for Britain's best new building: Blavatnik School of Government Vote for Britain's best new building: Blavatnik School of Government
(about 11 hours later)
The Blavatnik School of Government is one of six UK buildings to be shortlisted for the 2016 Riba Stirling Prize for architecture. A select line-up of judges will decide the winner but the BBC, in partnership with Riba, is inviting you to vote for your favourite. The Blavatnik School of Government is one of six UK buildings up for the 2016 Riba Stirling Prize for architecture. A select line-up of judges will decide the winner but the BBC, in partnership with Riba, is inviting you to vote for your favourite. Find out about the other buildings here.
If you are viewing this page on the BBC News app, tap here to vote.If you are viewing this page on the BBC News app, tap here to vote.
What is it and where?What is it and where?
Founded in 2010, the Blavatnik School of Government is one of Oxford University's newest departments. Its recently opened building, in the Jericho area of the city, was designed by Herzog & de Meuron and has space for more than 500 students, staff and guests.Founded in 2010, the Blavatnik School of Government is one of Oxford University's newest departments. Its recently opened building, in the Jericho area of the city, was designed by Herzog & de Meuron and has space for more than 500 students, staff and guests.
How much did it cost?How much did it cost?
Confidential but reported construction cost of £30m and total project cost of £55m.Confidential but reported construction cost of £30m and total project cost of £55m.
What was the vision?What was the vision?
Riba says the building "takes the traditional Oxford quad and tears up the rule book" with wide twisting staircases and offset balconies around an internal space or "forum". Herzog & de Meuron says: "The forum cuts through the school as a vertical space connecting all the levels and programmes together. Central to a school of government is the idea of openness, communication and transparency; the central forum takes this principle literally by stitching all levels together."Riba says the building "takes the traditional Oxford quad and tears up the rule book" with wide twisting staircases and offset balconies around an internal space or "forum". Herzog & de Meuron says: "The forum cuts through the school as a vertical space connecting all the levels and programmes together. Central to a school of government is the idea of openness, communication and transparency; the central forum takes this principle literally by stitching all levels together."
What have people said about it?What have people said about it?
"A century passed - the 20th - in which the University of Oxford did not acquire an interior as magnificent as this." Rowan Moore, Guardian, November 2015"A century passed - the 20th - in which the University of Oxford did not acquire an interior as magnificent as this." Rowan Moore, Guardian, November 2015
"A gleaming glass wedding cake [and] slick beacon of good governance with a whiff of oligarch bling - perhaps in homage to its funder, Len Blavatnik." Oliver Wainwright, Guardian, July 2016"A gleaming glass wedding cake [and] slick beacon of good governance with a whiff of oligarch bling - perhaps in homage to its funder, Len Blavatnik." Oliver Wainwright, Guardian, July 2016
"It is quite clear that the Oxford skyline is a heritage asset and now a drum full of light is being put into it." David Freud, local businessman, Oxford Times, October 2013"It is quite clear that the Oxford skyline is a heritage asset and now a drum full of light is being put into it." David Freud, local businessman, Oxford Times, October 2013
Explore the other buildings on the shortlistExplore the other buildings on the shortlist
BBC Riba Stirling home pageBBC Riba Stirling home page
Find out more about the BBC Riba Stirling Prize partnershipFind out more about the BBC Riba Stirling Prize partnership
Video by Richard Kenny and Dave O'Neill
Join the conversation - find us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.Join the conversation - find us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.