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Wellington College is delighted to announce that Woodland Quad has won a Royal Institute of British Architects South Award 2026.
Part of the College’s long term estate masterplan, Woodland Quad includes Elizabeth House, a co-educational Sixth Form boarding house, Raglan, a boys’ day house, and a central renewable energy centre, creating a distinctive new area within the College’s campus.
The development has been recognised for both its architectural quality and sustainability credentials. Built using cross laminated timber and other low carbon materials, Woodland Quad reduces embodied carbon while creating calm, uplifting spaces for pupils. A ground source heat pump now supplies low carbon heating to both Woodland Quad and the College’s Victorian buildings, supporting Wellington’s carbon neutrality ambitions and marking an important step towards the College’s net-zero objectives.
In awarding the prize, the RIBA panel praised Woodland Quad as “humane, homely, low-energy student accommodation” and described it as a “masterclass in connecting with context,” recognising the way the buildings respond sensitively to the surrounding woodland while enhancing pupil wellbeing and daily life.
Ed Wai, Group Estates Bursar at Wellington College, said: “Woodland Quad represents an important step in the evolution of the College campus, combining sustainability, wellbeing and outstanding design to create spaces that genuinely enhance the student experience. We are delighted to see the project recognised with a RIBA South Award.”
Louise Piper, Major Projects and Planning Manager at Wellington College, added: “This has been an incredibly collaborative project from start to finish. Seeing Woodland Quad become such a successful and well-used part of the campus, while also being recognised for its architectural and environmental quality, is hugely rewarding for everyone involved.”
The project has already had significant impact on College life and the wider evolution of the campus. For the Raglan, its new central location has strengthened the House’s connection to the wider Wellington community, while the Elizabeth has helped foster a strong sense of integration and inclusivity within the Sixth Form. As part of the College’s wider estates strategy, the development has also enabled the refurbishment of historic accommodation without the need for temporary or surplus buildings.
Following its regional success, Woodland Quad will now be considered for a Royal Institute of British Architects National Award later this year.
The College extends its congratulations to MICA Architects and all those involved in bringing this project to life.
