School of Architecture, Oxford Brookes University

The school was formed in 1927 when a small group of enthusiastic young architects decided that Oxford needed a school of architecture. They formed the club to promote this and asked the University of Oxford to start the school. This was declined as no funds were available. This was the time of the General Strike of 1926. So they approached the new principal of the then School of Technology, Arts and Sciences, John Henry Brookes, who agreed to found the school, named the Oxford School of Architecture. There were three students, two women and one man. One woman left after the first year to get married, but the school grew to one of the largest in the country.[4] The department also have a society called the Doric Club founded the same year as the school itself in 1927.[5]

According to the Royal Institute of British Architects, the department is 'a thriving school, attracting high-quality students and offering innovative and diverse programmes which benefit directly from its associated research institutes/centres'.[6]

The school operates mostly open plan studio spaces, with students from all years sharing working space. A digital studio was designed by Niall McLaughlin Architects[7] and new studio space provided subsequently followed a similar design. The School of Architecture building was refurbished and extended by Winchester-based firm; Design Engine Architects with the scheme completing in 2012.[8]

The school's courses are validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects.[9]

Centre for Development and Emergency Practice. CENDEP was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize[10] and is well known for its programme for humanitarian practitioners, some of which are delivered in cooperation with UNITAR.[11][12] CENDEP provides an academic setting for the study of cities, humanitarianism and refugees. Singer and activist Annie Lennox is patron of the Master's Course in Development and Emergency Practice.[13]

The school has a student-run society called the Oxford Architecture Society also known as 'OxArch'. It hosts a variety of guest lectures, workshops, competitions, films and socials throughout the academic year.[14]

Launched in 2014 and published three times a year, the student-led OSA magazine offers a platform for students to publish original and edited articles and projects related to the theme of each issue. The magazine was founded by post-graduate students Rob Dutton and Lauren Kehoe. Subsequent editors include Adrian Alexandrescu (2015–2016), James Barrell (2016–2017), Sonia Tong (2016–2017), Jing Zhi Tan (2017-2018), Kate Ridgway (2017-2018), Maria Mavrikou (2017-2018) and Robert Antony Cresswell (2017-2018). The magazine is printed using the risoprint at activist printers Greenprint Oxford. The magazine is kindly supported by Robin Partington and Partners and Assael Architecture. www.osamag.co.uk[15]

• John Stevenson (?-2003)[16]
• Mike Jenks (2003–2005)[17]
• Mark Swenarton (2005–2010)[18]
• Matt Gaskin (2010–present)[19]

• Prof. David Greene (Archigram)[20]
• David Grindley[21]
• Prof. Rajat Gupta – Professor of Architecture and Climate Change[22]
• Prof. Nabeel Hamdi – Author, humanitarian and winner of UN Habitat’s Scroll of Honour[23]
• Andrew Holmes – Artist[24]
• Prof. Mike Jenks – Emeritus Professor, Co-founder of OISD[25]
• Prof. Paul Oliver MBE – Vernacular encyclopaedia[26]
• John Stevenson – Deputy Head of Architecture and Head of Design (Architecture)[27]
• Christopher Nash – Managing Partner of Grimshaw Architects

• Yasmeen Lari – First woman architect in Pakistan and advisor to UNESCO
• Graham Stirk – Partner of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners practice of Richard Rogers[28]
• Charlie Luxton – Broadcaster/architectural designer
• Dr Hugo Slim – Author and chief scholar at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue in Switzerland and former trustee of Oxfam

• Louis Hellman
• Kevin McCloud
• Chris Wilkinson
• Peter Clegg
• Bill Dunster
• Stuart Parker
• Richard Rogers
• Doreen Laurence

• Official website