B
ased in Taunton, Somerset, the new
headquarters for the UK
Hydrographic office has reached
completion, as what’s claimed to be a
unique timber-enhanced construction that
provides an inspiring workspace for one
of the world’s leading marine geospatial
information agencies.
The 11,000 m^2 building was created to
deliver a specific vision of openness and
movement, both in terms of its architecture
and its functionality for its users. This has
been realised as an open plan, collaborative
environment, with key emphasis placed onincreasing the ability of the staff to work
together and choose how they do so,
all within a healthy environment that
heightens productivity.
At three storeys tall, the building
includes a range of amenities, including
high specification office space, a staff
restaurant, a gym, and meeting facilities
for the Government agency.A collaborative relationship
The UKHO wanted to replace its former
buildings in Taunton, which were inefficient
and expensive to maintain. As such, theUK HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE
TAUNTONBUILDING
PROJECTSThe UK’s official agency for shipping and Royal Navy data has a new headquarters in
Somerset, designed to push collaboration to the fore, in an open and fluid structure
enhanced by timber throughout. Jack Wooler reports on how the AHR-designed project
helps workers engage in a ‘one team culture’All hands on deck
ADF AUGUST 2019 WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UKT
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