Beech Court Pavilion, at Abingdon School in Oxfordshire, has been shortlisted for the Wood Awards 2025.

Blending heritage with modernity, this striking pavilion provides a flexible dining space for Abingdon School and a foyer area for the connected Amey Theatre.

Replacing a temporary marquee installed in a garden court during Covid, the Beech Court Pavilion has been carefully designed to connect with its natural surroundings and create the feeling of dining outdoors. Exposed structural timber provided a perfect solution for this, and led to the design of the pavilion’s key feature: a large timber latticed, octagonal-shaped roof which, combined with acoustic timber slatting between the joists, brings a richness and warmth to the scheme. Glazed external walls open up green views in all directions, while a central roof lantern further increases daylight and the visual connection to nature.

A hybrid steel canopy frame with a glulam diagrid structure was developed to create an efficient and structurally elegant pavilion. The long-span steel has the same structural depth as the shorter-span glulam beams, creating a dynamic roof-shape which complements the strong geometry of the pitched roofs of the Amey Theatre.

The timber acoustic panels on the underside of the roof create absorbent surfaces that allow for clear and easy conversation, even when the building is at full capacity.

After a year in use, the pavilion has become a thriving hub for culture, education and community engagement. Its flexible design has had a far-reaching impact — enhancing the school’s catering and hospitality provision and strengthening ties with the wider community.

Congratulations to our client and project team:

Client: Abingdon School

Architect: David Morley Architects

Structural Engineer: engineersHRW

M&E Engineer: Qoda

Main Contractor: Beard Construction

Specialist Timber Contractor: B&K Structures

Acoustic Consultant: Attune

Landscape Architect: ASA Landscape Architects

Wood Supplier: Rubner

The full shortlist will be exhibited at Space House, London, as part of Material Matters (17–20 September), bringing together architects, designers, makers, and industry leaders. We look forward to the exhibition in a couple of week’s time, and for the winners to be revealed at the Wood Awards ceremony on 19th November at Carpenters’ Hall.

The competition has been made possible by the generous support of the Wood Awards sponsors and partners: American Hardwood Export Council and The Carpenters’ Company.

Photography credits: © Richard Fraser Photography