Merrist Wood College

Set within a 412-acre campus of woodland and agricultural land in Surrey, Merrist Wood College is a specialist further education campus focused on land-based disciplines, including horticulture, arboriculture, animal care and equine studies.

Delivered by Bond Bryan as part of the Department for Education framework, the redevelopment introduces new purpose-built teaching facilities designed to support hands-on learning, where the landscape itself plays an integral role in how students are taught and trained. The project is divided across two sites, Building A and Building C, with their locations defined through the demolition of existing and underused buildings, allowing the campus to be restructured in a more logical and efficient way.

The scheme replaces a previously dispersed collection of buildings with a clearer, more legible campus structure, bringing together teaching, workshop and social spaces in a way that’s better suited to the rhythms of daily college life.

Building A is a new single-storey vocational building, organised along a long central corridor with teaching spaces arranged throughout and a dedicated dog-grooming workshop at the eastern end.

Building C is a two-storey teaching and workshop building, designed to accomodate larger-scale practical activities, including an extra-large workshop for tractors and heavy machinery. It also incorporates a mix of teaching spaces, alongside double-height environments, including a climbing space and a café with a servery, creating a more varied and flexible learning environment.

The architecture builds on what was already there. The material pallet was driven by the existing building adjacent to Building A, referencing one of the more recent additions to the campus.

By using local materials, the new buildings establish a clear visual relationship, anchoring entrances and strengthening identity. References to traditional workshops and agricultural sheds are reflected in the pitched roof forms and metal façade system, grounding the buildings in the character of the wider estate.  Throughout, the design reinforces the connection between learning and landscape, creating an environment where indoor and outdoor spaces work together as part of a single teaching experience. 

The completed campus provides a more cohesive and intuitive environment for students and staff, improving how the college is used day-to-day.  By bringing activity into two clearly defined buildings, the project creates a stronger sense of place, encouraging interaction across disciplines and making better use of shared spaces.

The relationship between teaching environments, social areas and the surrounding landscape supports a more engaging and connected student experience.  The new facilities also better reflect the specialist nature of the college, supporting practical, skills-based learning environments that align more closely with industry and training needs.

Sustainability is embedded from the outset, with both buildings designed to meet specific U-value and daylight targets, supporting a high-performing internal environment while reducing overall energy demand.

A fabric-first approach underpins the design, complemented by photovoltaics and a combination of natural and mechanical ventilation, allowing buildings to respond to different conditions and patterns of use while supporting the college’s ambition for Net-Zero in operation.  The reorganisation of the campus also frees up space for landscape and outdoor teaching, supporting biodiversity and strengthening the college’s connection to its rural setting.

The redevelopment of Merrist Wood College creates a campus that is more coherent, accessible and aligned with the needs of land-based education. Delivered through a rigorous construction process, with over 150 detailed design elements developed across both buildings, the project balances technical precision with a strong sense of place. 

The result is an environment where buildings, landscape and learning are fully integrated, creating a setting that supports both educational outcomes and a lasting connection to the wider campus and community.