Main Building

Facade of the main building, Wellesley Arch, Wellington College International Tianjin (official photo)

Main Building of Wellington College International Tianjin (WCIT) is architecturally designed in the shape of the Chinese character "日" (rì, meaning "sun" or "day"). The building houses a variety of facilities that cater to academic, artistic, athletic, and community needs, fostering a holistic educational environment.​ Situated in the Hongqiao district of Tianjin, this building is central to the school's 35,000 square metre campus, which was completed in May 2011 and officially opened in August of the same year.

History

Wellington College International Tianjin was established as the first overseas partnership school of the prestigious Wellington College in the UK. The foundation stone was laid on 1st September 2009, and construction commenced shortly thereafter. The building project was completed in May 2011, and the school officially opened its doors to students on 22 August 2011 . The establishment of WCIT marked a significant milestone in Wellington College's vision to extend its holistic model of education beyond the UK, aiming to prepare students for an ever-changing world while fostering an appreciation and respect for diverse cultures, especially that of its host country, China.​

In 2009, during the 150th anniversary celebrations of Wellington College in England, Queen Elizabeth II was presented with a scale model of the Tianjin campus by Joy Qiao, the Founder of Wellington College China, highlighting the royal connection and the significance of the new international venture​.

Architectural layout

The Main Building's design, resembling the character "日", encompasses several key sections that contribute to its functionality and aesthetic appeal:​

• Waterloo Gate
• Atrium
• Seldon Theatre
• Wellesley Arch and Quad
• V&A Café
• Uniform Shop
• Canteen
• Founder's Library
• Dance Studio
• Drama Black Box
• The Underground Gym