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University of Satffordshire Woodlands Nursery

by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

Client University of Staffordshire

Awards RIBA West Midlands Award 2025, RIBA West Midlands Client of the Year 2025 (sponsored by Equitone), and RIBA West Midlands Sustainability Award 2025 (sponsored by Autodesk)

University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Daniel Hopkinson

The award winner tells us, "The new campus nursery at the University of Staffordshire was designed with a commitment to sustainability, ensuring it would educate and care for future generations without negatively impacting the environment. As a net-zero-carbon building, sustainability shaped every design decision.

Natural, low-impact materials were selected to create calm, nurturing interior spaces. Timber beams, wood-wool ceilings, rubber flooring, and plywood joinery define the teaching areas; offering a warm and inviting atmosphere for children and staff alike.

The highly insulated timber frame is clad in stepping larch boards, combining durability with a connection to nature. Distinctive rooflights flood the interior with natural light while providing ventilation, reinforcing the building’s focus on environmental responsibility and wellbeing. This thoughtful approach balances functionality and sustainability, creating an inspiring space for learning and care."

Extract from the RIBA Awards Jury citation, "The new University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery and Forest School is driven by the ambition to create a positive environment for young children. Situated on the university campus in Stoke-on-Trent next to a nature reserve with a river, pond, woodland and meadows, it replaces a car park with a new carbon-neutral building of exceptional quality. The architects’ design for Woodlands Nursery is driven by sustainability. The jury were especially impressed by the innovative natural ventilation system."

Read the full citation from the RIBA Awards Jury on RIBA Journal

Contractor Henry Brothers Construction

Structural engineer Civic Engineers

Environmental/M&E engineer Max Fordham

Landscape architect Re-form

Project management MACE

Quantity surveyor/Cost consultant MACE

CDM consultant WSP Safety

Gross internal area 751m2

University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Daniel Hopkinson
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Daniel Hopkinson
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Daniel Hopkinson
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Daniel Hopkinson
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Daniel Hopkinson
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Daniel Hopkinson
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Daniel Hopkinson
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Daniel Hopkinson
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Daniel Hopkinson
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery © Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
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