Christ Church Library

Oxford

Donald Insall Associates led the restoration of the 18th century library at Christ Church, Oxford, designed originally by George Clarke — an amateur architect and one time Secretary of State at War to William III. We restored and redecorated the entire interior, which includes an authentic historic colour scheme for the reading rooms and a full cleaning and restoration of John Fowler’s 1957 stippled colour scheme of the hall and staircase. Thomas Roberts’ spectacular relief plasterwork of 1753 has also been restored and new furniture commissioned. Other repair and alteration works included partial refacing of the decayed south elevation stonework, roof structure repairs, new slate roof coverings, along with new wiring, lighting and mechanical services to improve environmental conditions for the book collection.

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