CASE STUDY
Westgate Shopping Centre – Oxford: A Masterpiece of Modern Retail Architecture
Transforming Oxford's Retail Landscape
The Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford stands as a testament to modern retail architecture and urban planning. This ambitious 800,000 sq ft retail-led mixed-use development, master planned by BDP, redefines shopping and leisure experiences. It hosts 125 shops, restaurants, cafés, and leisure facilities, including a boutique 5-screen Curzon Cinema and a flagship John Lewis department store. The design, a collaboration among renowned architects Allies & Morrison, Dixon Jones, Panter Hudspith, and Glenn Howells Architects, showcases an architectural harmony that blends contemporary aesthetics with Oxford's historic charm.
Innovative Use of Brickwork
A key feature of the Westgate project is its innovative use of brickwork. The final design incorporates multiple brick types and sizes, including three bespoke brick blends. EHSmith partnered with the main contractor Laing O’Rourke, to ensured these were pre-mixed offsite to exact specifications, minimising onsite labour and enhancing consistency. The bespoke blends were delivered in both precast slip format to Laing’s pre-cast factory and for traditional laying directly to the site.
Seamless Integration of Modern and Traditional Techniques
The project exemplifies a seamless integration of modern offsite production methods and traditional bricklaying. Large precast brickwork panels, brick-faced masonry support, and Fastclad brick cladding were utilised alongside traditionally handset areas by Lee Marley Brickwork. This hybrid approach not only maintained the architectural integrity but also expedited the construction process, demonstrating the efficiency and flexibility of combining different construction methodologies.
Highlight: FastClad Application
FastClad, a versatile brick cladding system, was used innovatively to clad the escalator soffits and spandrels. This application seamlessly blended with the traditionally laid masonry and precast brick slip-faced concrete panels, highlighting FastClad’s adaptability and aesthetic harmony.
The Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford is more than a retail destination; it is a landmark of architectural excellence and construction innovation. By leveraging modern offsite production methods alongside traditional techniques, the project sets a new standard for mixed-use developments. The collaboration among top-tier architects and contractors has resulted in a vibrant, functional, and visually stunning space that enriches Oxford's urban fabric.
Westgate Shopping Centre is not just a place to shop but a destination that reflects the future of urban retail spaces, combining tradition with innovation in a way that resonates with the historic essence of Oxford.
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