Blooming Suspension Bridge of Basingstoke: A Mesmerizing Feat of Horticultural Engineering
In picturesque Basingstoke, Hampshire, the iconic modernist structure formerly known as Mountbatten House undergoes a metamorphosis, rechristened as 'Plant'. The renovation project, sought after by Mactaggart Family & Partners and developer Longstock Capital, integrates more than 22,500 new plants, revitalizing the building's lush terraces.
Twelve Architects and Studio Knight Stokoe have carried forward the transformative designs by Grant Associates and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. Originally completed in 1976 as Gateway House for paper manufacturers Wiggins Teape, this six-storey terraced office complex boasts English Heritage listings for both its architecture and James Russell's revolutionary hanging gardens.
The gardens' restoration faced complex challenges, including careful consideration of the structural load distributed across selected tree varieties to accommodate both initial loading and sustainable growth. These efforts were informed by Foggo's original vision, reflecting a harmonious blend of architecture and nature.
The £32 million project aims to revitalize the 19,515-square-meter office complex as a vibrant regional hub, accommodating multiple tenants. Martin Knight, director at Studio Knight Stokoe, notes that the initiative payed homage to Foggo's innovative design approach, which seamlessly merged architecture with landscape, showcasing an intentional contrast between clean, minimalist aesthetics and lush verdure.
These new adornments operate under regenerative strategies centering on biodiversity and soil health, with minimal soil disruption and a light bark mulch layer to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. The building's entrance and reception have also been redesigned, with the addition of a striking helical staircase within a double-height space, enhancing visual connection to the surrounding greenery.
Moreover, energy efficiency measures have been implemented, including solar photovoltaic panels and low-energy systems, ensuring the space stays modernized for evolving tenant needs. New amenities, such as a café, gym, secure cycle storage, and flexible event spaces meeting contemporary expectations for workplace wellbeing, have also been incorporated.
Upon examination, Foggo's original coffered slab structure and cruciform columns have come to light, revealing the building's bold geometry. A contemporary water feature now adorns the cloistered courtyard on the second level, while winding pathways and intimate seating areas foster exploration and moments of respite.
Regenerative methods have informed the maintenance process, with planting principles guided by biodiversity and soil health. Native and non-native species have been carefully specified to accommodate both current and future climate conditions while fostering environments beneficial to pollinators and fauna.
In a thoughtful gesture, each paving and step element of the gardens—including yards of Yorkstone slabs, bespoke concrete panels, and steps—was meticulously numbered and stored for later placement according to their original position. The revitalized Plant was designed to achieve BREEAM 'Outstanding' and WELL certification, emphasizing sustainability at its core.
Hugo Denee, co-founder of Longstock Capital, expressed pride in the elevated design, emphasizing that Plant satisfied both architectural and commercial requirements, positioning itself as a perfect example of forward-thinking workplace design. Associates at Twelve Architects and Studio Knight Stokoe, along with director Keith French of Grant Associates, echoed the sentiment, praising the revitalized structure's seamless fusion of architectural innovation and sustainable practices.
In this transformed project, the revitalized 'Plant' not only integrates a thriving home-and-garden environment but also emphasizes health and wellbeing for its tenants within the office complex. The regenerative strategies implemented in the lush terraces focus on biodiversity and soil health, resulting in a lifestyle that blends nature seamlessly into the business environment.
Furthermore, the building's renovation adheres to scientific principles, which inform the maintenance process through biodiversity-centered planting techniques. The restored gardens, a harmonious blend of architecture and nature, reflect scientific advancements in sustainable practices, making 'Plant' a trailblazer in the field of environmentally-friendly office spaces.
