The decommissioned Horlicks Factory remains a striking and distinctive landmark, recognisable across the town. We were given the opportunity by Berkeley Development Group to explore concepts for the redevelopment of the site. With the converted listed building at its core, our architecture, heritage, landscape and ecology teams collaborated to develop proposals which sought to celebrate the site and its heritage, while delivering a sensitive mixed-use development, complimentary in form and materiality.
The scale of the factory and the low-density development surrounding the site presented urban design challenges which were overcome through simple urban design principles and a sensitive approach to the existing townscape and visual amenity. The masterplan was composed of three simple characters; each with a varying relationship with the Horlicks Factory and the surrounding townscape and each achieving serving to enhance the setting of the listed building, while energising the local community.
At the heart of the three zones were three distinct, water themed spaces supporting a variety of functions and underpinned by healthy living principles.
