Aluminium Entrance Matting For UK Hydrographic Office

High level finish and linear aesthetic

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) collects and supplies data to the Royal Navy and merchant shipping to help protect lives at sea.

Designed by AHR Architects, the new headquarters in Taunton took inspiration from the theme of ‘Seabed to Surface’ with strata and water currents heavily influencing the aesthetic design.

The client brief was to encourage a ‘one team’ culture, with collaboration and connectivity in mind whilst aiming to attain BREEAM Excellent.

To fulfil the brief, the team at AHR have maximised natural daylight and ventilation, creating generous staircases, open balconies and wide bridges arranged around a central 800 sqm atrium. The layout ensures both a visual and physical connection between all parts of the building whilst providing ample collaborative and agile workspace.

The ground floor comes alive with informal meeting and social spaces, a restaurant and views over the landscaped courtyard. While the 700 desks in the open plan offices above are flooded with daylight, thanks to both the atrium and generous 3.5m high ceilings.

To maintain the high level of finish and linear aesthetic, the architect specified INTRAflex XT Entrance Matting at each of the five entrances with a varying combination of INTRAlux Elite in Anthracite and ribbed rubber.

Our Entrance Matting which is 100% recycled aluminium and 100% Econyl support the sustainability aims of both the client and architect, while the popular Anthracite fibre compliments the fresh, light colour palette.

The team at AHR has not only created a stunning building but has consistently exceeded minimum standards throughout, winning the RIBA South West Award 2019 and RIBA Sustainability Award 2019 – and is well on course to add a BREEAM excellent rating to its stable of achievements.

To find out more about our 100% Econyl fibre range or INTRAflex XT entrance matting, get in touch with our team today – or why not order a free sample to see the UKHO specification first-hand.