Wellington College International: A Learning Village that Evolves with Students

In the heart of Pune, a city often referred to as the “Oxford of the East,” Wellington College International (WCI) marks a milestone in K–12 campus design. Designed by MICA Architects and Education Design International (EDI), which oversaw the interior design of the institute, the building fosters a strong sense of community among its users, combining  forward-thinking educational principles with deep respect for the local context and cultural heritage.

A future-focused learning village

Spanning four hectares, the campus accommodates 1,000 students and combines innovative design with a commitment to holistic intellectual development and high academic standards.

Central to the project is the concept of a learning village – a spatial strategy that encourages exploration and interaction, and strengthens connection among students, teachers, and the wider school community. Learning clusters form the building blocks of the village, offering flexible, multi-zone spaces that adapt to different teaching approaches. Linked by transparent, operable partitions, the clusters create a spatial continuity that encourages collaboration between students and teachers, which in turn supports daily interaction and peer learning. Each space enables students to take an active role in their own learning journey, allowing them to choose how, where, and with whom they learn.

From flexible instructional labs to open collaborative areas and quieter spaces for reflection, each environment supports a broad spectrum of learning modes. The interiors are designed to evolve in parallel with students’ natural developmental stages, with the protective environment of the early years gradually giving way to the more dynamic atmosphere of middle and high school.

Wellington College International: A shared sense of belonging

Conceived to be welcoming, stimulating, and safe, while reinforcing a strong sense of community and belonging, the interior design expands on the school’s distinctive identity.

Each learning environment celebrates the individuality of each student, while promoting meaningful engagement through a rich variety of spatial experiences. The spatial layout comprises four blocks arranged along an east–west axis, with outdoor spaces extending into play areas along the river corridor to the south. Open central courtyards, semi-open spaces, and terraces on the upper levels create voids that admit natural light, assist natural ventilation, and provide areas for recreation. Co-curricular areas occupy the heart of the building, allowing the entire school to take part in various activities.

Large internal staircases, referred to as “Learning Stairs,” serve as both circulation routes and informal spaces for meeting and interaction.

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An inclusive, versatile environment

The main learning areas for the upper grades open onto more structured spaces, conceived as shared areas with generous ceiling heights that enhance the sense of openness and acoustic panels that ensure appropriate sound levels. Lightweight furnishings simplify creating different configurations, adding flexibility to teaching and learning methods. As students move into middle and high school, the design shifts toward environments that are more structured and more expressive.

Stairs and porticoes feature exposed materials, such as brick and concrete, that echo the exterior, while flooring is in natural materials, such as granite and marble. A warm, neutral material palette, enriched with wood and brick, gives the interiors a sense of comfort and welcome. Intimate volumes with playful design elements respond to children’s developmental needs, while open-plan spaces promote transparency, clear sightlines for supervision, and fluid movement.

Arched openings and brick jaali screens reference Pune’s rich architectural heritage while framing views and establishing a rhythmic relationship between the interior and exterior.

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