Oxford University’s Saïd Business School celebrated the completion of the first stage of work on a new building with a topping out ceremony held on 16 June. The building designed by leading architects Dixon Jones who also created the award-winning main building will provide additional facilities for teaching and executive education activities including lecture theatres, seminar rooms, a restaurant and roof terrace. It is expected to be completed in summer 2012.
Professor Andrew Hamilton, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, Professor Colin Mayer, Dean of the Saïd Business School, and Wafic Saïd
Wafic Saïd, the original benefactor of the School who is also supporting the construction of the new building, poured the last piece of concrete of the superstructure. He said:
“This building has been part of the vision for the Saïd Business School from the moment that we bought this site. We knew that the School would progress and its success would mean that it would outgrow its original building in ten years – we were right!
This Phase II building represents a new and exciting stage in the School’s development. It provides not only for growth but also brings the School’s degree and executive education programmes much more closely together for the benefit of both – from students embarking on their first degrees to CEOs seeking to understand the broader context for their work. I congratulate the School on the remarkable success that it has achieved this far.
I also congratulate and thank our architects, Dixon Jones, who with this new building are completing the work they began with Phase I, work which has so much improved this corner of Oxford.”
Wafic Saïd also thanked the contractors, CPL, the Project Managers, Gardiner & Theobald, the University and those involved at the School. He then went on to say a special thank you to Professor Colin Mayer, the Dean of the School, who is shortly stepping down after six years at the helm:
“It was during your Deanship that most of the planning and design of this building were carried out. It was also during your Deanship that the School’s new executive education business grew and prospered beyond anyone’s expectations, making this building both necessary and affordable.
You have worked tirelessly for the School as its Dean over the last five years and can look with great satisfaction at the quality of its students and faculty, its research and its degree programmes. You have also done much to improve the School’s careers and alumni services and its operations and can be very proud of the School you are handing over to your successor.”