British studios regenerate landmark "Hanging Gardens of Basingstoke" office

A 1970s office complex in Hampshire by engineering firm Arup, which is celebrated for its cascading green terraces, has been reborn as Plant following a renovation by a troop of British architecture studios and landscapers.

Originally designed by architect Peter Foggo with the former Arup Associates Group 2 for paper manufacturer Wiggins Teape, the vast stepped complex in Basingstoke comprises six levels of revamped commercial workspace with tiered roof gardens.

The retrofit was completed by Twelve Architects and landscapers Studio Knight Stokoe, evolving an initial design by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Grant Associates.

Twelve Architects' focus for Plant was on uncovering the original features of the landmark complex, formerly known as Mountbatten House and dubbed the "Hanging Gardens of Basingstoke".

Both the building and its hanging gardens by garden designer James Russell were listed at Grade II in 2015. They have been described by Historic England as an "unusual and distinct example" of commercial architecture.

While the concrete frame and bronze-anodised aluminium cladding had held up well, over time, certain architectural details had been covered over and its gardens and landscaping required restoration.

"By simply removing suspended ceilings, partitions and accumulated finishes, the meticulously detailed coffered slabs and cruciform column structure have been revealed, showcasing the building's distinctive architectural character," said Twelve Architects associate director Robert Shannon.

The Plant project also included several new additions including a reconfigured entrance area and reception designed with Jersey-based studio Page Architects.

Other additions include a double-height reception area that was added to provide better views of the lush gardens and a new helical staircase.

To better cater to the evolving needs of modern tenants, new amenities include a multi-purpose workspace, alongside a cafe, secure cycle storage and a gym with showers and changing facilities.

Plant's original curtain wall system has been refurbished to enhance thermal performance while the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems have been updated to future-proof the building.

Revitalising the complex's famous green spaces and making them more accessible to office workers was another key priority.

Over 50 years, the gardens had suffered from multiple issues, including shallow soil depths and the death of most of the roof-garden trees and many original plant species. Legionella bacteria had also been discovered in its rainwater tank.

To address these problems, Wiltshire-based landscape studio Studio Knight Stokoe drew on archival research, including Russell's hand-written planting lists, to adapt the listed landscape to be more climate-resilient and regenerative.

The team had to completely strip and replace the soil. It then planted 86 new trees and over 22,500 new plants, selected for their drought tolerance and potential to support pollinators and local wildlife.

Studio Knight Stokoe also added paved areas and footpaths at both the ground- and roof-level gardens, alongside seating areas and a raised water feature to replace a pond that had fallen into disrepair. A new rainwater storage tank and dripline irrigation system were installed to water the roof-garden planting beds and lawns.

"At its core, the changes prioritised preserving James Russell's original vision of informal, elaborate, romantic, overflowing, and tumbling gardens," said Studio Knight Stokoe director Martin Knight.

"While it's still early to assess the full impact, as the gardens have had less than a full season to establish, the introduction of varied tree and plant species supporting pollinators and wildlife suggests promising long-term benefits for biodiversity," he added.

Arup Associates' Group 2, led by Foggo, started on the design of the building in mid-1973 and the idea for the creation of a series of planted roof gardens was included in the design from the outset.

Over the years, the building has had a number of tenants including tech multinational IBM and defence company Thales. Most recently, engineering firm WSP occupied the top floor.

Now the regenerated Plant building, completed for client William Laxton of real estate manager Mactaggart Family & Partners by developer Longstock Capital, offers 19,515 square metres of office and amenity space.

Other office buildings recently featured on Dezeen include a tiered structure by SOM that is informed by Florida's tropical modernism and Foster + Partners' proposal for a trio of commercial and residential towers in London.

The photography is by Andy Stagg.

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