William Hare is delivering the fabrication and erection of 430 tonnes of structural steelwork for the Woodland Walkway at the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Oxford, a landmark project designed by Foster + Partners.

The 230m-long elevated structure will provide a vital connection between Littlemore House and Littlemore Brook, linking key facilities across the campus and supporting collaboration between scientists, technologists and researchers. Traversing existing woodland, spanning 35m above historic burial ground and situated adjacent to a live Network Rail corridor, the project presents a range of complex engineering, logistical and construction challenges.

Working collaboratively with the wider project team throughout the development of the scheme, William Hare has helped develop the engineering, fabrication and erection solutions required to realise the architecturally ambitious design. Detailed planning and coordination of manufacturing, transport and installation activities have been critical to ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of the structure within a constrained site environment.

At the heart of the walkway sits The Nest - a distinctive seven-metre-diameter breakout space offering panoramic views across the surrounding landscape. Enclosed within a striking dome-shaped superstructure, The Nest is supported by a bespoke steel substructure comprising two steel ring beams connected by fabricated steel box columns, demanding a high level of precision throughout both fabrication and erection.

The Woodland Walkway is a key part of the EIT campus, connecting Littlemore Brook and Littlemore House.

The campus is designed to provide a nurturing and collaborative environment for science discovery, with research laboratories, educational and gathering spaces, a library, landscaped courtyard and central 250-seat auditorium, the campus will foster interdisciplinary work between scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers, educators and innovators.

Once complete, the Woodland Walkway structure will provide a seamless elevated connection across the EIT Oxford campus while showcasing the versatility of structural steel in delivering complex architectural solutions within challenging site constraints.

William Hare is proud to be working alongside EIT Oxford, Foster + Partners, Laing O'Rourke, WSP and Axis Architects to deliver this landmark project, supporting the creation of a world-class science and technology campus.