Wicklow County Campus

Wicklow County Council appointed MOLA Architecture to prepare a masterplan for the Wicklow County Campus at Newrath, Rathnew. The twenty-two-hectare Clermont House estate is of architectural and landscape significance, shaped by mature woodland, long views and longstanding associations with Rathnew and the wider demesne. The campus today accommodates a diverse mix of public and enterprise tenants, including the Local Enterprise Office, the Wicklow Film Office, Teagasc and the Life Long Learning faculty operated by IT Carlow, forming a distinctive civic asset in county ownership.

The masterplan envisions the consolidation and future growth of the campus around four core themes: film and content creation, education, food and sustainability. These activities are organised within a coherent spatial structure that respects the heritage setting and improves permeability and public access. New buildings are gathered around a central landscaped courtyard, establishing orientation and giving the campus a collegiate character. The Food Innovation Centre and the Wind Training Centre address the historic axis with west-facing entrances, while smaller production units open directly onto the courtyard. A lightweight canopy links the buildings and provides a shared café space that encourages informal interaction and collaboration. Taken together, the masterplan positions Wicklow County Campus as a landscape-led and community-focused development with a clear identity and a sustainable long-term trajectory.