A wood lattice "hive" building has been unveiled by Cornwall attraction the Lost Gardens of Heligan as the new office it wants to build for its staff.
The award-winning tourist draw, jointly created by Eden Project co-founder Sir Tim Smit, has unveiled its masterplan for the future. As part of the project a new entrance and pedestrian walkway would be created.
The greenhouse would be extended, and a new ticketing and welcome centre created which would include a hospitality area, a café and a shop, with "winter gardens" to form a new entrance and threshold to the gardens.
In addition, the Steward’s House, which now houses Heligan’s offices and archive, would be restored and turned into a hospitality venue. The public toilet block would also be rebuilt.
However, a new two-storey "hive" office block is probably the most striking part of the proposals. Clad in a wooden lattice, it would have the appearance of an organic "bug hotel".
If approved, the new building, located beyond the main visitor area on the estate, would house staff and also welcome visitors for education and "wellbeing". A spokesman for the Lost Gardens of Heligan said the plans had yet to be submitted to Cornwall Council.
“As we enter our fourth decade of stewardship of the iconic Heligan Estate, we look ahead to the future and invite our visitors to join us on the next stage of our journey”, he said.
“The gardens at Heligan have been constantly evolving since the first house was built, on the site of the present mansion, by William Tremayne in 1603.
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“Over the last 300 years Heligan House has been extended and remodelled while the gardens, parkland and grounds have also seen similar changes. These changes have been both functional and picturesque.
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“We pride ourselves on looking after one of the most beautiful destinations in the country, which is a truly inspiring place to work. However, there are flaws in the current design and layout of the office spaces and shelter areas available for the staff. The disjointed nature of where our different teams are housed has naturally evolved over time. The ever-growing success of the gardens and increased number of staff employed here at Heligan has reached a point where it is time for change to focus on our staff.”
According to Heligan, the new space will enable the tourist attraction to “combine all the talent in one working environment where we can meet on a daily basis and come together repeatedly over the day to share experience and ideas”.