Plant (formerly Mountbatten House)

Plant is a Grade II listed commercial office building in Basingstoke, originally designed in 1973 with extensive podium landscaping. This heritage-led refurbishment carefully reimagined the building and its landscape, bringing protected spaces back to life for modern office requirements.

The sensitive landscape spans six floors with multiple terraces, revitalised gardens, and enhanced biodiversity — creating inclusive, engaging spaces for occupants and visitors.

Waterscapes was engaged to develop the landscape irrigation system across all six levels, ensuring reliable watering to new and retained planting and supporting the project's BREEAM Outstanding and Well Platinum credentials.

Project Overview

The refurbishment of Plant presented a unique challenge: a Grade II listed building with heritage-protected multi-level landscaping required a carefully planned irrigation system that could serve the full range of plant types — trees, shrubs, hedges, lawn areas, and mosses — across six floors without compromising the architectural or landscape design integrity.

Waterscapes carried out a detailed assessment of planting requirements, water supply routes, and control logistics across the entire building, working in close coordination with main contractor C Field Construction and landscape contractor Panoramic Landscapes.

The building was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Twelve Architects & Masterplanners, with the landscape scheme delivered by Studio Knight Stoke and Grant Associates.

The irrigation solution focused on creating a reliable, centrally managed network capable of delivering precise watering to each floor level whilst remaining technically hidden within the landscape.

Technical Details

Landscape Irrigation — Six-Floor System

The irrigation network was designed to serve planting across all six floor levels of the building, with tailored outlets and control zones for each landscape area. The system incorporates solenoid control boxes positioned with careful consideration for both maintenance accessibility and visual integration into the landscape. Solenoid locations were strategically selected to be easily maintained by building operators whilst being visually disguised from users of the spaces.

Water Supply & Treatment

Water for the irrigation system is pumped from the building's basement cold water storage tank. The water is distributed via a network of pipework installed by the mechanical contracting team to each floor level. The system incorporates a variable speed pump together with multi-stage treatment: filtration, UV treatment, and water conditioning. These processes ensure water quality remains consistent and safe for all plant types across the building.

Controls & System Management

A central irrigation controller manages the operation and quality of water being provided to the refurbished landscape. The controller coordinates watering schedules across all six floors, responding to seasonal changes and ensuring efficient water use. The centralised approach simplifies maintenance and allows the building management team to monitor and adjust irrigation from a single control point.

Additional Works

In addition to the main irrigation system, Waterscapes provided a bespoke raised water feature for the first-floor courtyard. Designed by Studio Knight Stoke and fabricated by RH Phillips & Sons, the feature was carefully craned into place to sit seamlessly within the paving and soft landscaped islands. Waterscapes supplied and installed the pumping, display, and control elements.

Results & Outcomes

The irrigation system at Plant has successfully delivered reliable watering to the multi-level landscape, supporting the building's achievement of BREEAM Outstanding and Well Platinum certifications.

The system operates seamlessly within the heritage landscape design, with control infrastructure carefully integrated to remain invisible to occupants.

The combination of central management, multi-stage water treatment, and floor-by-floor control zones ensures the landscape is actively maintained, biodiversity is supported, and occupants enjoy high-quality green spaces across the building.