In architecture , a quadrangle (or colloquially, a quad ) is a space or a courtyard , usually rectangular (square or oblong) in plan, the sides of which are entirely or mainly occupied by parts of a large building (or several smaller buildings). The word is probably most closely associated with college or university campus architecture, but quadrangles are also found in other buildings such as palaces . Most quadrangles are open-air, though a few have been roofed over (often with glass), to provide additional space for social meeting areas or coffee shops for students.
7-561: The Radcliffe Quadrangle ( Rad Quad ) is the second quadrangle of University College , Oxford , England . The buildings have been Grade I listed since 1954. The quadrangle was started in 1716 and finished in 1719 with money bequeathed to the College by John Radcliffe , a former student of the college tutored by Obadiah Walker and doctor to the King. Oxford 's main hospital and other University buildings are also named after him. There
14-633: A Palladian form around three sides of the Lawn , a huge grassy expanse. Later, some American college and university planners imitated the Jeffersonian plan, the Oxbridge idea, Beaux-Arts forms, and other models. All five barracks at The Citadel (military college) feature quadrangles with red-and-white squares (the colors of the South Carolina battle flag), which are used for formations by
21-405: Is a statue of John Radcliffe by Francis Bird on the gate tower of the quad. His coat of arms is also displayed. The architectural style of the quad matches that of the earlier main quadrangle immediately to the west, although this was by then incredibly old-fashioned for almost a century. It is not a "quadrangle" in the same way as the main quadrangle, because it only has buildings on three sides;
28-398: The College to the east. The Radcliffe Quad is where University College's matriculation photograph is taken at the start of each academic year . The quad has also been used for celebrations after undergraduate examinations. 51°45′09″N 1°15′05″W / 51.75250°N 1.25139°W / 51.75250; -1.25139 Quadrangle (architecture) The word quadrangle
35-640: The fourth side is bounded by a high stone wall separating the garden of the Master's Lodgings to the south. To the east is Logic Lane , a small cobbled lane through the College, connecting the High Street at the front of the College and Merton Street at the rear. A covered bridge built in 1903 connects the Radcliffe Quad buildings internally with other buildings on the High Street owned by
42-559: The idea of a college was well established and benefactors or founders wished to create more monumental buildings. Although architectonically analogous, for historical reasons quads in the colleges of the University of Cambridge are always referred to as courts (such as the Trinity Great Court ). In North America, Thomas Jefferson 's design for the University of Virginia centered the housing and academic buildings in
49-567: Was originally synonymous with quadrilateral , but this usage is now relatively uncommon. Some modern quadrangles resemble cloister gardens of medieval monasteries , called garths , which were usually square or rectangular, enclosed by covered arcades or cloisters. However, it is clear from the oldest examples (such as Mob Quad ) which are plain and unadorned with arcades, that the medieval colleges at Oxford and Cambridge were creating practical accommodation for college members. Grander quadrangles that look like cloisters came later, once
#694305