Architects design new Wedgwood HQ with efficiency in mind

An artist's impression of the new Wedgwood headquarters.

ARCHITECTS involved in the overhaul of Wedgwood's headquarters believe the finished development will attract "a plethora" of tourists from across the globe.

The 34 million master plan was designed for the 281-acre estate by Brownhill Hayward Brown (BHB).

It includes a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, contemporary company offices and a significant expansion of the Wedgwood Visitor Centre, which includes a new partnership with the Wedgwood Museum.

The majority of the existing factory will be demolished, whilst the remaining factory and outbuildings will be refurbished before three extensions are added for the new visitor facility.

The ceramic manufacturing facilities will enable significant increases in capacity to help safeguard existing positions and support future growth.

A linking corridor between the museum gallery and the new extension will ensure that the anticipated 100,000 visitors each year can take in the whole Wedgwood experience under one roof, including a flagship retail concept store, tea rooms and a restaurant.

Funding for the project has been assisted by a grant of 5.1 million from the Regional Growth Fund, whilst a residential development of 209 houses will be built by David Wilson Homes.

Andrew Hayward, director at BHB Architects, in Lichfield, said: "One of our primary aims was to ensure that the facilities were designed with efficiency and sustainability in mind whilst also making the finished site a real destination for the plethora of visitors and tourists that Wedgwood attracts."

Work on the site is expected to be completed by early 2015, with the Wedgwood visitor experience fully open by Easter 2015.

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Architects design new Wedgwood HQ with efficiency in mind