Revival of 1970s Modernist Offices and Gardens unveiled at Plant Basingstoke
27 January 2025
The retrofit and regeneration of Plant Basingstoke—formerly known as Mountbatten House, and more colloquially as the Hanging Gardens of Basingstoke, and considered one of Britain's 15 most important listed modern buildings—has been completed.
The building was originally designed in 1973 by Peter Foggo and Arup Associates Group 2 with pre-eminent garden designer, James Russell, for paper manufacturers Wiggins Teape. First christened Gateway House, the vast stepped complex comprises six levels of commercial workspace blanketed in tiered roof gardens and terraces. The gardens and building were both separately listed by English Heritage in 2015 for their design excellence and significance within British modernist architecture and horticulture.
The original design intent was to blend nature, wellbeing and the workplace seamlessly and this recent retrofit and regeneration sought to again pioneer a commitment to the environment and occupant in a way that sets a remarkable standard for the future of workplace developments.
Ian Taylor, Partner at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, said; “I am immensely proud of the role FCBStudios has played in extending the life of this seminal building designed over 50 years ago by Peter Foggo’s group 2 at Arup Associates (with whom I worked in the 1980s). The building design’s prescience in creating contact with, and access to, nature within all the office spaces on all levels created a legacy that even now appears forward thinking.
Our work focused on preserving the unique character of Foggo’s original design while creating a framework that balances function with environmental responsibility. Plant now stands as a benchmark for retrofitting and regeneration, a space where people and nature thrive in harmony, embodying the values we strive for in every project.”
Planning approval and listed building consent was obtained by FCBStudios who subsequently monitored planning and listed building issues through construction.