Education and construction are converging in bold new ways, with sustainable architecture increasingly being used as an extension of the curriculum itself.
At Stowe School in Buckingham, this vision has been brought to life with the completion of a new £5.9m Design, Technology & Engineering (DTE) building, an award-winning project that seamlessly fuses cutting-edge timber engineering from B&K Hybrid Solutions with educational innovation. The project is explored here in full detail...
B&K Hybrid Solutions (BKHS) has played a pivotal role in the delivery of a new Design, Technology & Engineering (DTE) building at Stowe School – an inspiring and sustainable educational facility located within the historic, Grade I-listed grounds of Stowe House in Buckingham.
Designed to support advanced robotics, manufacturing, and engineering education, the £5.9m project is redefining how a building itself can actively support curriculum delivery.
On behalf of Beard Construction, BKHS was selected to deliver an innovative timber solution, combining 108.237m³ of glulam beams, 2,042m² of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels, and 46 tonnes of ground- floor steel grillage. The expert project team included architect Design Engine, structural engineer Buro Happold, specialist timber engineer Engenuiti, and CLT manufacturer Stora Enso. The collaborative result is a visually expressive, low-carbon, two-storey facility that functions not only as a high-quality learning space but also as a living laboratory; with visual elements allowing students to explore and engage with the building’s engineering principles first-hand.
Aligning with Stowe’s vision to become a leader in STEM education, the DTE building celebrates construction transparency. Exposed CLT and glulam structural elements are left purposefully exposed and visible throughout, with mechanical and electrical systems (including ductwork, pipework and cabling) colour-coded and surface-mounted, enabling students to observe and explore the inner workings of the building.
The highly aesthetic quality of visual-grade timber, afforded by precision manufacturing, has been embraced as part of a broader biophilic approach that elevates both the learning environment and student wellbeing.
The exposed elements left no margin for error, meaning that detailing, fabrication, installation sequencing and coordination had to be rigorously 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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