Topping Out in Back Quad

At a ceremony held within the structure of the new William Doo Undergraduate Centre, Foundation Fellow and lead benefactor William W H Doo, his son William Doo Jr and family members, were warmly greeted by the Warden, Ken Macdonald QC.

Thanking the Doo family for their outstanding generosity and vision in lead-funding the new Undergraduate Centre, the Warden highlighted their desire to use their wealth to create a lasting legacy for good, benefitting generations of future students. “Not all those blessed with great wealth have the benevolence to use that wealth for the good of others. It is a gift and a commitment from the whole family for which we are incredibly grateful,” he said.

After accepting a presentation spanner to mark the occasion, William W H Doo spoke of his gratitude to Wadham College and particularly to Emeritus Fellow Jeffrey Hackney, who tutored his son William (Law, 1993).

Project architects Ho-Yin and Eoin O'Dwyer from AL_A attended the ceremony along with representatives of the Project Managers, Bidwells, and builders, Beard.

College benefactors, building committee members, students helping with fundraising and guests were invited on to the roof of the new buildings from where they could gain once-in-a-lifetime views across the Oxford skyline.

In 2016 Wadham College commissioned the architects AL_A, the studio of RIBA Stirling Prize winner Amanda Levete, to design the buildings.

The William Doo Undergraduate Centre will be at the heart of the student community and have inspirational study areas for collaborative working, social spaces, an art room, café, e-hub and Junior Common Room where undergraduate students can gather to study, exchange ideas and socialise.

The Dr Lee Shau Kee Building is designed to house the College’s extensive access and outreach programme. This dedicated access facility will be the first in Oxford to offer purpose-built space for welcoming schools from Wadham’s link regions and hosting Wadham's innovative access programmes and residential summer schools. The building will have a dedicated music room, space for public lectures and student accommodation.

Wadham is encouraging alumni and friends to support the final phase of fundraising for the project – £3m to raise by 2020 and alumni helping fund rooms, tables and floors. There are a number of ways donors can become part of this transformative project. Please contact Development Director Julie Hage and her team if you would like to make your mark on Wadham’s new buildings.