“Churchill’s new 900m² HQ blends contemporary design with riverside views”
Brief
The key requirements of the brief were to create a flagship building to accommodate the senior management and marketing aspects of the business, linking to the existing two story offices that had been constructed approximately 20 years previously. A Directors’ suite was required, to include their individual offices, secretarial support and boardroom, overlooking the main west-facing views. As part of the works, a reappraisal of the site layout was also necessary, relocating and improving the car parking provision and the landscaping.
“Amazing views across the Avon floodplain”
Project Challenges
A conscious decision was made not to mimic the rather tired 1990’s commercial style of the original brick building, rather to develop a design that responded more directly to the amazing views across the Avon floodplain – a SSSI on account of the huge range of wildfowl that migrate to and from it. The planners were very keen that it should have a low visual impact from the floodplain – so the original concept was a bird watching hide – although this became diluted when the clients asked for full height windows in their boardroom to capitalise on the views.
A significant challenge was presented by the minimum floor level, generated by the flood modelling data. This had an impact on the floor to ceiling heights and the manner by which the buildings were connected at roof level.
It was proposed that the new building should offer the opportunity to create a new point of arrival – within a glazed link between the existing and proposed, offering an inspiring view through to the natural landscape upon entering the building. As a device, this helped separate the two contrasting architectural styles.
