SCIENCE OXFORD

In an exciting development for the West End, Science Oxford announced in late 2010 the purchase of Macclesfield House on New Road, with a view to opening an inspirational £30 million centre for science and enterprise by 2015. The aim is to provide Oxford with a public face for science and enterprise that will become a major tourist destination, attracting as many as 100,000 visitors a year. The centre will showcase the inspiring discoveries and inventions that drive Oxford’s economy and explain how science and technology underpin our lives.

Renowned architects Foster + Partners have been appointed to help create a signature destination on the site, formerly Oxfordshire County Council's education department. The sustainable complex will include the “Sphere”, a 150-seat immersive theatre where a large, domed screen will guide visitors through the world of science. It will also feature a series of galleries, set to include a tour of science in Oxford from 13th century pioneer Roger Bacon through to the present day. Any design work will take into account the heritage of the area, and the architects hope to establish a 'creative dialogue' between the historic Castle Mound and the state-of-the-art facility.

Ian Griffin, chief executive of Science Oxford, said: “More than anything else, the visitor attraction will be a fun place to visit. The site is already superb for our purposes. It’s in close proximity to the successful Oxford Castle complex and within easy walking distance of both the railway and bus stations.”

Several phases of consultation have been held to date about the project - visit our Public Consultation Diary for details. For more information on the heritage and history of the site, please refer to the Historic Context Study and Conservation Plan, which was commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford Preservation Trust and Nuffield College to guide and inform development here and at the adjacent Worcester Street car park site.

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