OXFORDSHIRE took more honours for its beautiful buildings than any other county in the South of England at this year’s Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) awards.

Oxford University buildings, Oxford Brookes, a public school, and one private house all won for their architecture at the ceremony on Thursday night. And now the six winners will be considered for the national finals shortlist.

They include Oxford Brookes’ John Henry Brookes and Abercrombie Building, The Old Indian Institute on the corner of Holywell and Catte Street and a private swimming pool and gymnasium at a Kirtlington home.

RIBA regional director James Robinson said: “There have been some really ground-breaking buildings. Oxford has always been innovative throughout the centuries and that hasn’t changed.”

The John Henry Brookes was named Building of the Year and will now compete for the national Stirling Prize for Architecture.

The building also won the Sustainability Award, while architects Design Engine received the Architect of the Year prize.

Judges said that it made them “wish they could go back to university”.

Brookes vice-chancellor ProfJanet Beer said: “Anyone who has seen the way in which students have already made the space their own will recognise that not only is it beautiful, it is also functional.”

The 11 regional winners, including the six from Oxfordshire, were drawn from 41 entries.

REGIONAL SUCCESS STORIES

WINNERS of prizes in the awards were:

Bicester Advertiser:

  • John Henry Brookes and Abercrombie Building
  • Andrew Wiles Building, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, by Rafael Viñoly Architects

Bicester Advertiser:

  • Andrew Wiles Building
  • The Old Indian Institute, Oxford Martin School, Oxford, by Berman Guedes Stretton Architects
  • McCall MacBain Graduate Centre, Wadham College, Oxford, by Lee/Fitzgerald Architects

Bicester Advertiser:

  • McCall MacBain Graduate Centre
  • Clocktower Square, Radley College, Radley, by Design Engine Architects Ltd
  • Private house, Oxfordshire, by Yiangou Architects LLP.

Bicester Advertiser:

  • The private house
  • Regional Conservation Award: McCall MacBain Graduate Centre, Wadham College, Oxford
  • Regional Sustainability Award: John Henry Brookes and Abercrombie Building, Oxford Brookes University, Headington
  • Regional Building of the Year: John Henry Brookes and Abercrombie Building, Oxford Brookes University.