Oxford Combined Courts

Location
Oxford
Client
Ministry of Justice
Contract Value
c.£1m.
People

The Brief

BTP helped transform recently vacated offices at Oxford Combined Courts into two additional hearing rooms, making better use of space within the existing city-centre court building.

Delivered with a national contractor as part of the Ministry of Justice’s Court Reform Programme, the project increased hearing capacity while allowing the Court Service to remain operational throughout.

Space for justice

Purpose-designed hearing rooms with welcoming spaces to wait.

Our Role

Acting as lead architect, BTP was chosen to work with a national contractor and member of the Ministry of Justice Strategic Alliance Framework on the Court Reform Programme, to rationalise parts of the MOJ estate across the Midlands and Home Counties.

At Oxford Combined Courts, BTP was tasked with remodelling recently vacated offices, maximising the use of space by remodelling it into two additional hearing rooms.

The project was completed in a tight timescale of just 16 weeks, with all the works undertaken outside normal working hours to avoid disruption to the Court Service.

Creating additional court-room capacity

Tranforming under-used former offices into two hearing rooms while keeping the court operational.

Design Development

The main design challenge was fitting two hearing rooms into accommodation originally arranged as offices. Layouts needed to make effective use of the available floor area while maintaining the clear lines of sight required for court proceedings.

Existing structural columns placed limits on how the rooms could be organised. Careful positioning of the hearing-room layouts ensured these columns did not compromise essential views between participants.

Limited access before construction, combined with a shortage of archive information, meant the building could not be fully investigated in advance. Internal demolition revealed unexpected features, including a vehicle-servicing inspection pit associated with a former use of the site. These discoveries required prompt coordination and practical design responses to maintain progress.

All construction work took place outside normal working hours to avoid disrupting court business. This required close coordination between the design team, contractor and Court Service, with decisions made against a demanding delivery programme.

Working around the structure

Clear sightlines within an existing building.

Carefully planned hearing-room layouts accommodate existing columns while maintaining essential views between participants.

Outcomes

The completed refurbishment created two additional hearing rooms within the existing court building, increasing capacity through the reuse of vacated office space.

Delivered in just 16 weeks, the project met the requirements of modern hearing accommodation while working around existing structural constraints. Out-of-hours construction allowed court operations to continue throughout, demonstrating how targeted remodelling can improve the use of the justice estate with minimal disruption.

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Director
Simon Dennis

BSc, BArch(Hons), RIBA

Director
Simon Dennis

BSc, BArch(Hons), RIBA

I joined BTP in 2015, bringing a portfolio of Judicial and Custodial refurbishment projects to the practice, which I still continue to develop, including several conservation projects. More recently, I have also developed my role as a Principal Designer on both HRB & Non-HRB projects, particularly for custodial and education projects.

Since Graduating from Dundee University in 1996 I have gained considerable experience as an architect through completing a broad range of project types and sizes; from domestic projects for private clients to multi-million pound construction programmes for Government bodies and International commercial organisations throughout the UK. My predominant skills are in job running, detailed design, conservation projects and project management.

Outside of the office I am an enthusiastic hill-walker and climber and enjoy the outdoors, from gentle country strolls, ticking off Wainwrights and Munros, or summitting international peaks. I am also a keen traveller with a collection of passport stamps from Iceland to Antarctica.
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Architectural Technician
Ethan Tayler

BSc(Hons)
Architectural Technician
Ethan Tayler

BSc(Hons)

I joined BTP Architects straight from University in mid-2023 as an Architectural Technician. Since then, I’ve developed my skills in Revit, project management and technical design, alongside a growing understanding of Building Regulations and industry guidance.

Having been thrust into many different projects, I’ve gained wide sector experience including large-scale retrofit, social housing and accommodation for people experiencing homelessness, refurbishment and luxury new-build homes. This experience has sparked a particular interest in site planning.

Outside work, I enjoy playing padel with colleagues, football and the occasional attempt at golf. I’m also a Liverpool FC supporter and like to unwind playing video games.
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Architectural Assistant
Amy Greenwood

BA(Hons), M.Arch
Architectural Assistant
Amy Greenwood

BA(Hons), M.Arch

Enjoying the work / life balance of a supporting role, I have chosen to remain an architectural assistant and job runner. Having been at BTP since 2008 I have worked with most of the architects over the years. In doing so I have gained experience, knowledge and skills in each of our main sectors, including residential, ecclesiastical, conservation, remediation, judicial and custodial projects.

Outside of work, my teenage sons keep me busy, I enjoy encouraging their passions whether that be cheering at a football match or listening to them about game design. When I get a moment to myself, you'll find me listening to an audio book, tending the garden.