Corporation’s Natural History Unit switches offices after more 60 years at historic Clifton site

Staff from the BBC studios in Bristol have moved into new premises designed by HOK in the middle of the city

The offices at Finzels Reach will house teams from the Natural History Unit and Factual Entertainment Bristol, which produces programmes including Top Gear, Antiques Roadshow, Gardeners’ World, Countryfile and DIY SOS.

Work was carried out by Morgan Sindall-owned Overbury while others working on the scheme included M&E engineer Aecom, QS Currie & Brown and interior designer Studio B,

The move in July saw the BBC move its Natural History Unit from its historic headquarters in Clifton to Bridgwater House.

The Natural History Unit has been based on Whiteladies Road in Clifton since its formation in 1957 and during that time has made awarding winning programmes such as Planet Earth and Blue Planet II.

BBC Studios occupies the first three floors of the building, covering 5,575 sq m, where it has its own entrance and main reception on the ground floor.

To help all staff feel included, the workplace accommodates many types of uses for both hypersensitive and hyposensitive individuals. A variety of different settings enable individuals to work in environments that best suit their tasks and preferred surroundings.

All timber used in the project was certified by the Forest Stewardship Council while walls are made of cork, a natural and rapidly renewable material that reduces noise, and improves acoustics in meeting spaces. Most furniture has either been reused or second-hand as well.

Meanwhile, HOK has appointed Michelle Ludik as its regional leader of conservation at its London studio. She joins from Feilden + Mawson and previously spent more than a decade at BDP.