Wellington College
Description
Wellington College, founded in 1854 as a national monument to the first Duke of Wellington, stands as one of the most prestigious co-educational boarding schools. Located within 400 acres of Berkshire parkland, the school accommodates over 1,100 pupils and continues to evolve through a 25-year estate development strategy. This long-term vision seek to sensitivity enhance the listed campus by blending architectural innovation with it’s historic landscape setting.
As part of this masterplan, a series of new buildings – ranging from educational and residential to cultural and social facilities – have been introduced to support the academic and pastoral ambitions of the College. The development promotes low-carbon infrastructure, improved access, and the formation of new character areas that reinforce the relationship between buildings and nature across the estate.
Requirements
When the original brick specification was reconsidered during a fast-paced value engineering process, EBM provided swift, informed alternatives that retained the design intent. Our deep knowledge of UK and European brick manufacturing allowed us to narrow options quickly, leading to the selection of the Himley Ebony Black.
We worked closely with MICA Architects to resolve challenges around the bespoke specials – some requiring a four-sided facing special – by proposing a combined machine-made and hand-moulded solution that respected both design detail and production feasibility. EBM’s technical input ensured that complex brickwork details could be delivered on time, without compromise.
Location
Key challenges
1/ Fast-tracked product substitution under VE constraints
2/ Designing and delivering bespoke 4-sided specials within tight manufacturing limts
3/ Aligning design continuity with new material characteristics
4/ Coordinating between machine-made and hand-moulded brick production processes
Highlights & Achievements
- — Shüco Excellence Award 2025: Nomination