Wellington College – Murray House Washrooms and Common room
Crowthorne, Berkshire
Number of Students:
72Project Value:
£627KWeeks on site - Washrooms:
6Weeks on site - Common room:
8Project Overview
As part of Wellington College’s ongoing modernisation of its historic boarding houses, we were appointed to deliver a comprehensive refurbishment of Murray House, home to 72 boys aged 11–18. The project included the full renewal of five washrooms and the transformation of the boarding house common room, creating practical, durable facilities aligned with the College’s campus-wide standards.
The Brief
Common Room - Contemporary Living for Modern Boarding
The brief required a complete strip-out and refurbishment of the existing common room, including:
- Installation of a new tea point and kitchen area
- Bespoke fitted seating and media wall
- Upgraded lighting, flooring and finishes
- Integration of new mechanical and electrical services
The aim was to create a modern, high-quality environment that felt like a contemporary apartment or university social space rather than a traditional common room. It also needed to be robust enough for boarding life, capable with constant use and the practical realities of teenage students.
Washrooms - Reconfigured, Robust, Future-Ready
The project also included the full refurbishment of five washrooms, each with a slightly different layout and set of constraints.
Our scope included:
- Replacing outdated cubicles, fixtures and finishes with durable, modern alternatives
- Reconfiguring layouts to improve circulation, visibility and safeguarding
- Installing new sanitaryware, trough basins and enclosed shower facilities
- Ensuring long-term moisture resistance and ease of maintenance
- Delivering all works within the College’s summer holiday programme ahead of term start
What We Did
Washrooms – Durable, Hygienic and Safeguarded
Each washroom was stripped back to shell and fully rebuilt using solid-grade laminate cubicles, seamless Corian trough basins and vinyl flooring with coved skirtings. Layouts were reconfigured to improve flow and safeguarding, including widening openings, removing partitions and replacing a load-bearing wall with a structural steel beam. This changes enhanced flow, ventilation and sightlines while maintaining privacy.
Additional improvements included enclosed shower cubicles, modern WC facilities, tiled splashbacks, improved lighting and ventilation, and bottle-filling stations, creating hygienic, low-maintenance spaces built to last.
Project Lead Matthew Henderson commented: “They look incredible now. They’re tough, hygienic, and easy to maintain — exactly what you want for teenage boarders.”
Common Room – Contemporary and Hospitality-Inspired
The space was stripped back, services replaced and bespoke furniture installed to create an environment that balances functionality with design flair that felt smart, inviting, and robust.
A fully equipped tea point was placed as a centrepiece, incorporating ovens, hobs, fridges, microwaves, and Corian worktops. Walnut-faced cabinetry with soft-close fittings and integrated bins delivered both practicality and quality. Bespoke banquette seating in hard-wearing vinyl wrapped the room, complemented by a media wall with concealed storage.
Lighting played a major role in the finished look, combining recessed downlights with statement pendants. A palette of walnut tones, ochre upholstery, and pale, pink-flecked carpet created a contemporary yet comfortable atmosphere. Vinyl flooring was installed in spill-prone areas, with carpet elsewhere for warmth and comfort.
The Result
The transformation of Murray House represents a significant investment in the boarding experience, combining functionality, safeguarding, and thoughtful design within a heritage setting.
For students
- Clean, modern washrooms designed for comfort and hygiene
- Improved layouts that feel open and secure
- A contemporary common room for socialising and relaxing
- A well-equipped tea point for snacks and light cooking
For staff and the college
- Durable, easy-to-maintain materials throughout
- Standardised finishes aligned with other refurbished houses
- A repeatable refurbishment model for future projects
- Facilities that balance heritage character with modern expectations
Murray House now reflects Wellington College’s wider commitment to high-quality boarding environments — spaces that are robust enough for everyday teenage life while offering the comfort, safety, and design quality students deserve.
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