We were excited to mark a significant milestone in the delivery of St Edmund Hall’s new Passivhaus student accommodation campus in North Oxford. SDC was joined by members of the college community on Friday 20th June for the Topping Out Ceremony, a traditional celebration held when a building reaches its highest point of construction.
The event was officially hosted by Professor Baroness Kathy Willis with Lord Hague, College Visitor and Chancellor of the University of Oxford in attendance and commemorated the successful installation of the final cross-laminated timber elements of the Villa building.
Alumni, donors and friends of the College gathered in the new Common Room to hear speeches from The Principal, Kathy Willis; Chancellor, William Hague; and SDC Director, Carl Bennett. Representatives from SDC, St Edmund Hall, Wright & Wright Architects and Ridge signed a commemorative plaque, which was then lifted into place on the roof – accompanied by the College Horn player. Representatives of the College, SDC and the Consultants took turns in helping to secure the plaque, marking the occasion together. The topping out concluded with a drinks reception held in the new College Common Room.
Due for completion in early April 2026, the Norham St Edmund project includes 127 ensuite bedrooms and spacious communal areas, delivered through a series of new buildings constructed to Passivhaus standards. The design prioritises sustainably sourced materials and low-embodied carbon, with a prefabricated cross-laminated timber frame forming the superstructure.
This transformative project marks a major step towards supporting students from lower-income backgrounds by enabling all undergraduates to live in college accommodation for the duration of their course. With a strong focus on inclusion and sustainability, it reflects a shared commitment to a more equal and environmentally responsible future.
