Friday, 20 May 2011

Last night HR Wallingford's headquarters, Kestrel House, won the Regional BCO Award for Best Corporate Workplace in the South West.

HR Wallingford commissioned Kestrel House as their new headquarters as part of a master plan to develop a high technology and environmentally focussed business park in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. HR Wallingford is a research and consultancy organisation focusing on problems relating to water and the environment.

Kestrel House was designed to provide a contemporary working environment, with open plan working areas and a full range of facilities including meeting rooms and spaces, a central library area, internet café, quiet rooms and kitchen areas, all supported by flexible infrastructure and services.

The building had to provide a controlled internal environment to reflect HR Wallingford Ltd’s operational requirements, especially with respect to their software development operations. An environmentally sensitive building management system was used, retaining the ability for the occupiers to open windows. This was also reflected in the Cat A fit out of the floor plates.

The landscaping has been carefully considered for Kestrel House to maintain the parkland sense and aesthetic of the Grade II listed Manor House grounds and the surrounding countryside. It was equally important that the occupiers of the building have a view and experience of that landscape.

Congratulataions to Graham Black and Chris Gill from our Birmingham office, who lead the project management of Kestrel House for our client, HR Wallingford.