National Park Authority Headquarters
Balloch, Scotland

Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority held a competition in 2005 for the design of the Authority’s new-build headquarters in the centre of the lochside town of Balloch. Using Patrick Geddes’ concepts of “place, work and folk”, Gareth Hoskins Architects’ proposal met the brief for the £8.8m HQ with office space, exhibition/consultation spaces, library and archive in a landscaped setting linked to Balloch Country Park.

Sustainability and workplace health and wellbeing were at the proposals’ heart. The landscaping introduced biodiversity to an inauspicious major road junction. Materials were to be sourced locally and insulation levels well above standard. Northlights with solar collectors on their southern slopes drew natural light and ventilation deep into the building while providing renewable electricity and water heating as well as an exciting articulated roofline. The ground floor was opened up as a shop window for planning and exhibition facilities giving community, businesses, researchers and visitors access and influence to latest developments in the Park.