Mountbatten House is a large Grade II Listed office building in Basingstoke. The building was commissioned by paper manufacturers Wiggins Teape in 1973 as their new headquarters. Originally known as Gateway House, it is part of a collection of office buildings designed by Arup Associates in the late 20th century, each with a generosity of scale and design innovation to make them of architectural significance. At the heart of the design is a series of extraordinary stepping roof gardens by eminent garden designer James Russell, that led to the building being affectionately known as 'the Hanging Gardens of Basingstoke'.

We were asked to re-consider the design of the large reception space after an initial concept, responding to the building's orthogonal grid, presented the visitor with two diverging routes on arrival and a lack of hierarchy to the space.

Our approach was to simplify the arrival sequence by rotating the existing structural grid by 45 degrees. This created a legible space that is easy to use and understand.

The result is a powerful combination of two grids - orthogonal and diagonal - that draws people through the space. A striking circular reception desk acts as a pivot around which everyday activity unfolds. The play in geometry creates pockets of 'in-between' space for sofas and communal working tables together with a library space and a café. To the south, a large spiral stair with a single tree in its centre connects the reception with the level below and the roof gardens beyond.

A calm, natural material palette gives the space a timeless feel. The diagonal grid of the floor is formed in polished concrete and end-grain oak. The joinery - working in collaboration with Benchmark Furniture - is beautifully crafted and combines a palette of patinated brass, ash stained in green, oak and leather. The circular reception desk has been designed to be movable to enable the space to be used in different ways.