BCL are proud to announce our completion of the UK Hydrographic Office in Taunton. The new building opened its doors in January, following 18 months of work and employs BCL timber wall panels throughout its main atrium space. The project was officially opened in April 2019 by the Princess Royal, who praised the staff of UKHO for their important ongoing role in UK marine operations across the globe. The redevelopment of the headquarters, led by AHR Architects, BAM Construction and Mace group has acoustic Class C absorption throughout its main reception space, provided by BCL wooden slatted panels in Siberian Larch.
The fresh working environment for their 850 staff members will use new technology and modern office practices, reflecting UKHO’s own business development – and central to its design, was the importance of natural light, ventilation and natural materials inside its core, providing a balanced and optimal working environment for its staff.
BCL supplied and installed the internal acoustic timber panels for the space, using Siberian Larch measured at 19 x 44 mm, FR pressure treated and prefabricated into a secret-fixing system that also delivers Euroclass B fire performance to EN13501-1. BCL acoustic wood panels span over 2000 m2 of the project and incorporate anti-viral acoustic fabric - helping to limit microbial growth and as always, manufactured to flexible sizes using secret fixings, giving the timber a smooth finish, with no visible screws or nails, whilst also removing virutally all site cutting & waste.
Adam Spall, the regional director at AHR Architects had this to say of BCL’s work:
“
AHR brought in the BCL timber team at a very early stage of the project to see if their panelised system could achieve the curved design while maintaining the appearance of a 40m long continuous timber beam. The bespoke panels have achieved this perfectly and the larch clad baffles are the centrepiece of this fantastic building.”
We are thrilled to have been instrumental in the production of this fantastic new workspace.
