Oxford Islamic Center

Two arcades running around the quadrangle of the Centre for Islamic Studies were originally left with rough red brick ceilings, and the intention was to cover these with mosaic work. Plans being changed, Carvero was contracted in to re-work the vaults of the arcades into something more pleasing to the eye.

The result is simple and beautiful. The bricks – now re-pointed, cleaned and partly replaced – create after all the impression of a mosaic. These are separated at intervals by stone ribs, and boss stones are positioned where these ribs intersect. Works like these are perfect demonstrations of the pleasing visual effects that can be achieved with materials as simple as bricks and mortar.