Transforming the iconic, now vacant, Heinz Headquarters (designed by Gordon Bunshaft), back into active use through conversion to residential.
Strategy
Working closely with Historic England and alongside Shall Do Hayes Development, Studio Egret West has developed a scheme that, via a ‘heritage led’ conversion from workplace to residential, provides a second life for Hayes Park Central (former research laboratories) and Hayes Park South (administrative headquarters). The two buildings sit within generous parkland and are part of a wider former business park known as ‘Hayes Park’.
The two iconic buildings, now both Grade II Listed, were originally designed by American Architect Gordon Bunshaft of SOM in 1960s as high specification corporate offices and research laboratories for HJ Heinz UK Limited. In recent years the buildings have become vacant and unfeasible to market as workplace premises which led to a change of use being granted from workplace to residential.
Specificity
In addition to its change of use from office to residential dwellings, the scheme will set about to improve the entry sequence, connecting to the communal space to the landscape setting. The external façade will be cleaned and repaired to conserve the building’s iconic form for generations to come. The proposal will reinstate Bunshaft’s original ‘Reflective Pool’ with a tree on a circular island (influenced by a minimalist Japanese garden design). The pool, island and tree, will act as a focal point to connect residents with each other and nature.
The refreshed landscape approach seeks to achieve Bunshaft's initial vision of "buildings within a pastoral setting," embracing a verdant modernism strategy. Our focus shifts to re-wilded pastures over manicured lawns and garden squares instead of roundabouts. The goal is to seamlessly weave transects of nature and increased biodiversity into the core of each building plot, reviving lost courtyard features with a nature-based twist.
We aim to provide a second life to the vacant Grade II buildings and deliver a high-quality landscape strategy that that will benefit everyone. The development will create a place that is safe, inclusive, and accessible by all. It will promote health and wellbeing for future residents with pedestrian and cycle routes through the attractive areas of public parkland and community space.”Christophe Egret
Founding Director, Studio Egret West
Sustainability
The proposals have been developed alongside advice from specialist consultants to ensure the building fabric, acoustics, energy performance and fire regulations meet or exceed current regulations.
Our proposals provide a 'second life' for these iconic buildings with a long-term sustainable use that will ensure the buildings are protected and celebrated for years to come.
Team
