In the past few weeks, the wrapping has come off Headington’s newest buildings — the flats and offices at the top of Lime Walk. It’s the site where the Royal Mail sorting office used to be and I suspect that you, like us, would prefer that to have stayed. But, in their wisdom, Royal Mail closed it down and sold it off and now we have a new addition to Lime Walk’s street-scene.
The buildings are designed by Douglas Riach, who was also the architect for the elegant London Road building used by Scott Fraser, and for John Leon House, further up on the corner of the main road. When the plans were first presented, I must say I was worried by the design, particularly the arch of the metallic roof curving down half the height of the building. So, it was a surprise to me when I saw the building and thought it was actually an interesting arrival in the street…
…But I expressed my opinion the other day to one of the residents of Lime Walk whose reaction was ‘how can you? It’s the worst building I’ve ever seen.’ As another person present commented on our difference of opinion: tastes differ. But Ruth and I would both be interested to hear your views on the Lime Walk building — and on the architecture of Headington more generally. Do leave us a comment!
It looks quite interesting. Anyone who thinks it is the worst building they have ever seen hasn’t noticed the house a few doors down in Lime Walk that caused the most terrific furore when it was built (see Oxford Mail, 14 January 1997: “What a cock-up: Planning blunders mar street”). I think it is a question of getting used to things that are new and strange.
The roof, however, worries me from a practical point of view. It looks as though it has been dragged down on the right-hand side, exposing the left side. But presumably the architect must have employed a cunning design so that water can drain off that flat roof.
It goes without saying that there would have been a 100% vote from local people for a sorting office on that site instead. But if it had to be flats, this isn’t too bad.