The Orchard Project
New Office Accommodation for Voluntary Services, Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council

THIS BUILDING is a priority Millennium project for the Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council. It was designed to fit sensitively into both its context and the environment. As a building it is fit for its purpose, it is easily accessible with friendly and inviting spaces. Its form and planning give a low-energy building where services can be managed easily, efficiently and economically.

The siting, orientation and approach to the building are all fundamental to its success as a point of healing and care for the community. The building is approached from the direction of the town centre as a welcoming progression from the edge of parkland into an open structure that guides people into the building, through the building and into a private garden space. The gentle curves of the building express the friendly spaces created.

A double height common circulation space on the ground floor has a curved glass wall adjacent to the parkland edge. This light and airy space is suitable for the public display of art and sculpture. An outdoor terrace overlooks the park. Two storey office spaces are adjacent to the circulation space, with the upper level offices having balcony access overlooking the common space. This reinforces the associations between diverse groups each with a common aim, and stops the rooms on the upper levels from being isolated.