the glazed and stained timber lean-to building facade incorporating three entrance doors, the canted end with sliding hatch and a registration booth "sentry-box" extension with a fourth door,

The Porter’s Lodge was first built under the arches of The Queen’s College quad as a timber booth in 1898. It has been re-built, amended and extended a number of times since. The structure we have salvaged incorporates parts from most of these amendments. The format and style is replicated in a number of both Oxford and Cambridge University colleges – the glazed top section above the panelled chevron-boarded wainscot – and is iconic. The Porter’s Lodge is the hub of an Oxford College and is run by a select team of bowler-hatted guardians often warmly regarded for their wit and feared as disciplinarians in equal measure.

The Queen’s College curtain wall fronts The High Street and the Porters’ Lodge was found built along the inside of it, immediately on the left on entering the main gate. It looked out across the lawned quadrangle through the stone arches. The canted end with a sliding glass hatch incorporated the steps as the descend to the High Street pavement and a busy bus stop. The lean-to building has been removed in order to restore the stone arcade to its full width as originally intended. It now leads to the new beautifully appointed Porters’ Lodge behind glass doors in the corner of the quad. The Porter’s facilities have been much improved as has the wheelchair access to the college. No doubt this winter they will be warmer too!

B&W Photo (c) David Olds