AN OXFORD University building has been heralded of one of the country's best by a leading architecture body.

The Beecroft Building, in Parks Road, is used by the university's physics department and was opened by Sir Tim Berners-Lee last September.

The building was named with another 53 as the best in the country opened over the last year by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

It is named after a major donor to the university and British venture capitalist, Adrian Beecroft. He graduated from the Queen's College, Oxford in 1965.

The university's physics department also raised £10m from alumni and other supporters to support the new project.

It was designed by architects Hawkins\Brown and built by contractor Laing O'Rourke and project manager WSP.

RIBA President Ben Derbyshire said: “Despite the political and economic challenges of recent years, our 2019 RIBA National Award winners show that UK architecture is highly adaptable, immensely talented and as community-focused as ever.

"Our 2019 RIBA National Award-winning buildings are innovators and mould-breakers – congratulations to every client, architect and construction team for their combined talent and tenacity.”

Just six other buildings in the South East were included in RIBA's list, including Cork House in Berkshire and Hill House Passivhaus in East Sussex.