Oxford North, the city’s new innovation district welcomed hundreds of people for IF Oxford Science and Ideas Festival’s flagship events.
People of all ages enjoyed a host of immersive science-based activities, including a bespoke Creation Theatre experience, as part of a festival taking place across the city.
Zone ONE featured interactive family friendly activities and thought-provoking demonstrations including a robotic dog display delivered by the UK Atomic Energy Authority. Guests were some of the first in the world to see a cosmos of ideas while overlooking ‘Your planetary assembly’, the landmark planetary sculptures in Fallaize Park, designed by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson.
Creation Theatre captivated guests with its spellbinding delivery of the play Orbit via guided tours through the Solar System, using accessible pathways in the new landscaped public park. The free to attend event delivered last week sparked curiosity and conversation about science, technology and the future was hailed a great success by organisers.
Dane Comerford, IF Oxford Director, said: “Zone ONE at Oxford North was fantastic and brought together hundreds of people of all ages from across Oxford and beyond to explore space, astronomy, architecture, physics and robotics. The festival is known for making complex topics accessible and helps spark interest in science and innovation by offering a creative glimpse into the future. Oxford North was the perfect location for an ambitious and inspiring day, and I’m thankful to everyone who made it such a great success.”
Simon Ruck, Managing Director of Oxford North, said: “It was a pleasure to host Zone ONE, hundreds of people from our local community and so many incredible partners as part of IF Oxford. It was great to see so many people get excited by the wonder of science. All the partners shared their knowledge with such passion. It created a real atmosphere of curiosity and joy at Oxford North.”
Victoria Collett, Development Director of Thomas White Oxford and Chair of the Public Art Steering Group, said: “Hosting IF Oxford formed part of our commitment to connecting Oxford North to the cultural heart of the city. Congratulations to IF Oxford for creating such an engaging programme of collective exploration for so many people to enjoy; that was a delight to be involved.”
IF Oxford is being delivered by the charity, The Oxfordshire Science Festival, which is dedicated to the development of a science and ideas festival in the region. Oxford North partnered with IF Oxford as part of the innovation district’s Engage programme, its commitment to art, culture, social value and legacy.
Oxford North will comprise one million sq ft (92,903 sq m) of laboratories and workspaces, 480 new homes, a hotel, nursery, cafe, bar, three public parks and infrastructure. Phase one has completed which consists of the Red Hall, which will house an 80-seat café and 100-seat theatre due to open in early 2026 and the first two laboratory buildings, which are available to lease.
Oxford North is owned by Oxford North Ventures the joint venture between Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Stanhope. The project has a commitment to ensure that Oxford North has a far-reaching positive impact on the local economy.
Image Credit: © Aurelien Langlais
