WWF-UK Headquarters, Living Planet Centre

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A new headquarters for WWF-UK maximises on-site sustainable features.

WWF-UK has moved a step closer to realising its ambition for a new Sustainable Living Planet Centre with Planning Consent being granted on Tuesday 8 February 2011 for the proposed redevelopment over the Brewery Road car park in Woking.

The site, which is located within the Town Centre, sits alongside the Basingstoke Canal and the brief requires that the existing public car park at ground level is retained.
 
The new building sits on a raised in-situ concrete podium whose perimeter will be planted with shrubs, trees and flowers, A new bridge from the town centre will lead to a public piazza at podium level connecting through to an internal public exhibition space.
 
The accommodation totalling 3,600m2 is arranged over two-storeys and will serve as the headquarters for WWF-UK. The 80m long curved timber grid shell will span 837.5m providing long term flexibility for the WWF. The building will house an open plan work place for 300 staff, a 150 seat conference venue, education facilities and the WWF Experience exhibit.
 
At ground level, the existing trees will be retained and a new wetlands area created to provide a wildlife corridor from the Basingtsoke Canal to Horsell Moor and enhances the public realm onto the canal.
 
The designs for the new HQ aim to maximise on-site sustainable features and will target a BREEAM 'Outstanding' rating.

The scheme is currently being tendered and due to start on site early 2012.