Official images have been released revealing the tiered form of Herzog & de Meuron's school of government and public policy at the University of Oxford, England (+ slideshow).
Photograph by John Cairns
The Swiss firm designed the building to host one of Oxford's newest departments, the Blavatnik School of Government. It was founded in 2010 with a contentious £75 million donation from the Ukraine-born businessman Leonard Blavatnik.
Photograph by John Cairns
The school's mission to teach governance in a way that strengthens communities and fosters collaboration has been interpreted by Herzog & de Meuron in elements of the design, which includes a central meeting space known as The Forum.
Photograph by Iwan Baan
An irregular stack of cylindrical and horseshoe-shaped blocks make up the curving glass form, which is intended to resonate with the university's Radcliffe Camera and the Sheldonian Theatre buildings. Photograph by John Cairns
"These different volumes provide a sense of scale and proportion, and thus help integrate the building within its delicate historic context," said studio co-founder Jacques Herzog, who conducted a press tour of the school earlier this week.
Photograph by Iwan Baan
Herzog & de Meuron decided against replicating Oxford's stately stone facades, in favour of concrete and glass.

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Rows of slender glass panels s...