7-9 Banbury Road - Central Administration - University of Oxford

surprising the extent to which the character of the elevation is dictated by the extensive treecover and modern hedges, which, whilst pleasant, obscure and lessen the impact of thearchitecture (compare Cover and Figure 3).Internally the building has been significantly altered from its original form, retaining onlylimited significant features (such as cornice moulding in the easternmost first-floor room in 7Banbury Road, or the octagonal newel at the bottom of the main staircase of 7 BanburyRoad) though much of the original layout remains. Ultimately, the interior remains moresignificant as a utilitarian than an architectural space.Figure 4. Typically Italianate aspects of 7 and 9 Banbury Road (eastern elevation)3.5.1 Italianate Architecture7 and 9 Banbury Road is significant as a characteristic example of the English Italianate stylein 19 th -century domestic architecture. This architectural style was popular in England in thefirst half of the 19 th Century, and was just falling out of fashion when it was adopted forSeckham’s houses at Park Town in 1853-55. The deliberate use of this style, which by 1859-63 was certainly no longer en vogue, is clearly in reference to the new development at ParkTown.7 and 9 Banbury Road is a simple and typical use of this style, with many aspects of itsexternal façade being quite standard Italianate features (Figure 4). The heritage asset remainsan excellent example of the final stages of this style in 19 th -century England.7 and 9 Banbury Road, OxfordConservation Plan, May 2012 17