We define our success according to the depth of the relationships we keep. Our 25-year history with Royal Holloway, University of London, is a testament to this.
Beginning with a single design competition, today the story spans hundreds of projects across every discipline in the practice. But the relationship is so much more than the sum of any individual building. It’s a partnership driven by collaboration, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the long-term stewardship of one of the UK’s most iconic campuses.
Here’s the story so far, featuring some of the many people and places that made it possible:
Gowar & Wedderburn
A winning start to the conversation
Two-and-a-half decades ago, Rachel Bell and Matt Tarling visited RHUL’s Egham campus for the first time. In the shadow of the iconic Grade I listed Founder’s Building, they pitched their vision for Gowar & Wedderburn—a new take on student living that prioritised comfort, wellbeing and sustainability.
Fast forward to today, and the halls have been a home to generations of students. They even served as a base for athletes during the 2012 London Olympics. But to us, they’ll always mark the start of a hugely significant relationship.
“The trust Royal Holloway placed in us then has played as big a part in shaping us as we have in shaping their unique and beautiful campus.”
Rachel Bell, Director of Partnerships
The Windsor Building
In conversation with a classic
The Windsor Building brief marked a new phase of trust. RHUL needed a contemporary partner to the Founder’s Building—a space that embodied modern campus life while remaining in dialogue with the site’s history.
Designed as a high-intensity, multi-use hub, the Windsor Building proved that our team could honour the university’s heritage while providing a 400-seat auditorium that could handle the friction of modern higher education.
Today, the space more than lives up to that vision, hosting everything from global seminars to BBC’s Question Time.
“The Windsor lecture theatre was a chance for us to show we knew how to listen—and live up to the sensitivities of contributing to such an iconic site. It was all about collaborating with RHUL to create something that could signal a new direction of travel.”
Matt Tarling, Director of Universities
The Masterplan
Unlocking the estate
In 2013, the conversation expanded, and we started talking about the campus as a whole.
With the historic weight of the Founder’s Building at the campus’ centre, and the verdant pastures and woodland of the Green Belt all around, developing a masterplan that was fit for purpose required a sensitive approach.
Drawing on our close relationship with RHUL’s leadership, the plan delivered a roadmap to 2030, and a corresponding outline planning permission. It has acted as a catalyst for almost everything built on the campus since, and forms a basis for robust strategic discussions with the university to this day.
“Stride Treglown helped us transform our approach to estate management. Not only have they led multi-disciplinary teams to prepare and secure numerous planning permissions, but over time they have helped focus and support the quality of our internal discussions. Masterplan was a great moment for us to sit down with Royal Holloway and help them chart a new direction for this historic estate.”
Michael Berry, Director of Estates, RHUL
Beatrice Shilling Building
The plan in action
Delivering on the masterplan’s ambitions, the 2018 Beatrice Shilling Building wasn’t just about creating a new STEM facility—it was a model for a new way to work.
At its core, the building was designed to break down the silos between academics and students. We curated an environment that was welcoming to a diverse student base—balancing clean labs with playful furniture and inviting layouts across collaboration spaces.
The building proved that good design champions inclusivity—a result reflected in the uptick of female electrical engineering students.
“The building is innovative and controversial in an academic context. The open plan office structure encourages our academics to work together as a team.”
Paul Hogg, Vice Principal for Innovation and Regional Affairs, RHUL
Landscape
The space between the buildings
While the buildings on campus have evolved, the landscape has always been the force that holds the estate together.
For two and a half decades, our landscape team has worked in tandem with the university to ensure every new development protects the natural context that makes the space so special.
By working to enhance the campus’ environment, we’ve helped the university open surrounding natural landscape, ensuring the student experience is rooted in the natural character of the Surrey countryside.
“Across the relationship, we’ve delivered numerous projects to enhance the student experience on campus, and open their stunning topography—filled with ancient woodland, rolling meadows, ponds and beautiful countryside—to students and members of the public.”
Greg McKay, Head of Landscape Architecture
Looking forwards
A path for long-term partnership
After 25 years, the relationship is no longer defined by traditional project briefs. Instead, we hold fortnightly meetings with the Director of Estates—discussing everything from specific projects to the wider pressures the university is facing.
Through our close and ongoing connection to the campus, its heritage, and the broad range of stakeholders it impacts, we’ve grown into the role of trusted advisors—supporting the university in tackling a range of complex challenges, from securing permissions right through to informing and stress testing investment decisions, and everything in between.
It’s a partnership based on a deep, mutual understanding of a vision 25 years in the making, and we’re proud to be a part of it.
“Despite the sensitivities of the green belt, and the heritage and ecological constraints of the Campus, the team at Stride Treglown always adopts a positive, proactive and collaborative approach which delivers results. They have become one of our most trusted advisors.”
Michael Berry, Director of Estates, RHUL
If you’re looking for a team to help steward the long-term future of your estate, we’d love to start a conversation. Get in touch with us today, or find us at AUDE 2026.
