A mixture of new and altered buildings on the edge of the small village where the company began. The culture of Doc Martens combines traditional techniques and materials with contemporary style; the scheme reflects this.
A factory and offices for
the makers of Doc Martens footwear
Wollaston, Northampton |
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‘It’s unfussy and it’s striking - a modern environment blending effortlessly into its surroundings, this is a building we can all feel proud of.’
Stephen R Griggs, Chairman, R Griggs Group
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The buildings form part of the comprehensive redevelopment of a company headquarters in the village of Wollaston, Northampton, commissioned by the manufacturers of Dr. Martens footwear and clothing. The brief was to provide an excellent working environment in buildings responding to the scale and grain of the village and which used the predominant palate of local building materials, iron-rich sandstone and Welsh slate. |
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A master plan was commissioned to rationalise the existing site, which included the introduction of a new factory building and offices, together with the refurbishment of various existing structures and new landscaping. Construction was undertaken in phases to allow the headquarters to remain operational throughout the redevelopment period. The new buildings were visualised as contemporary barns, accommodating the operational requirements of a factory and office building in objects which would belong to their landscape and which would mature with age and use. |
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A new focus for the site was created through the introduction of a double height reception hall in the office building, which forms the main point of orientation for the whole complex. The reception hall was conceived as a semi-external space with glazed full height openings, the generous volume and precisely detailed staircase and gallery create a calm formality, appropriate for the main entrance to the Company’s headquarters. |
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We collaborated with Turner Prize winning artist Grenville Davey to produce a pair of specially commissioned sculptures for the space.
Grenville Davey. |
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DR MARTENS HEADQUARTERS
Client: R. Griggs Group
Value: £ 4,500,000
Completed: December 1994
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Northamptonshire ironstone, Western red cedar, Oak, Welsh slate, Galvanised steel, Zinc, Precast concrete
Interior:
Douglas fir, Birch-faced plywood, Oak, Grey limestone, Shoe leather, Plaster
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