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stowe school, buckingham


aligned and precisely executed. Lee Roberts, Pre-Construction Director at BKHS, said: “We are delighted to have delivered Stowe School’s new DTE building in collaboration with our project partners. Every detail, from structural timber connections to sequencing logistics, was carefully considered to meet the highest environmental and aesthetic aspirations for the client. BKHS and Beard Construction worked closely to minimise disruption for staff and students and align with school term times. All components were delivered to site via dedicated routes to help protect sensitive infrastructure within the grounds while streamlining the overall construction phase.” Precision was critical to the project’s


success. For the timber elements, a frozen IFC model ensured that all service penetrations were pre-cut to millimetre tolerances in the factory, improving installation accuracy while reducing material waste. Each element was coordinated for sequential delivery and erected quickly via designated access routes. Environmental performance was a guiding principle throughout the design


stages, and the building was conceived with its entire lifecycle in mind. At RIBA Stage 2, Buro Happold assessed four structural options and identified that an all-timber solution would reduce embodied carbon by approximately 75% compared to a concrete-based frame. In total, the 476m3 of PEFC-certified timber delivered for the project ultimately sequestered 360 tonnes of CO2e, and through sustainable harvesting and responsible management of European forests, the timber will have been replaced by new growth in just 1 minute and 44 seconds. The structural timber elements are also fully demountable, supported by helical steel screw piles and dry screed systems, which allow the building to be dismantled at end of life or reconfigured as the school’s educational needs evolve. Alex Brock, Pre-Construction Manager at BKHS, said: “Timber is increasingly shaping the future of educational environments, not just for its sustainable credentials, but for the way it actively enhances the learning experience. At Stowe School’s new DTE building, the exposed glulam and CLT structure doesn’t just support the building, it supports the curriculum, turning the space itself into an interactive educational tool. This kind of transparent construction invites curiosity, encourages engagement with engineering principles, and fosters wellbeing through natural materials. It’s a compelling example of how timber can deliver high- performance, low-carbon solutions that educate and inspire. The building was also acknowledged at the Offsite Awards 2025, winning Education Project of the Year.”


As a flagship facility for the school, the DTE building has already received enthusiastic feedback from staff and students alike. Martin Quinn, Head of Design & Technology at Stowe School, said: “The new DTE building has transformed the way our students learn. The workshops are brighter, more vibrant, and provide an inspiring space where students can create and showcase their work. With this facility, Stowe is now firmly positioned as the ‘go-to’ destination for future engineers, designers, and architects.” Stowe School’s new DTE building sets


a precedent for low-carbon, educational architecture – where timber technology, offsite manufacture and circular economy principles have combined to shape not only the building’s design, but its function as an evolving educational tool. The building also stands as a landmark achievement in educational architecture, showing how precision-engineered timber can deliver far more than a structural framework. It is a building designed to teach as much as it accommodates, offering students first-hand exposure to engineering and sustainability principles through its visible, low-carbon design. By combining aesthetic quality with environmental performance and long- term adaptability, BKHS has helped Stowe School realise a facility that embodies the future of STEM education while respecting its historic setting. As a result, this project is not only a showcase of modern timber technology, but also a benchmark for how educational environments can actively inspire, engage, and prepare the next generation of innovators.


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