CASE STUDY / SECURE COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE
GCHQ | Cheltenham
A 200cm Aterno stainless steel sphere sits within the secure central garden of GCHQ’s iconic circular headquarters in Cheltenham.
Cheltenham • Secure Commercial Site • 200cm Stainless Steel Sphere
01 LOCATION
GCHQ Cheltenham
40-acre headquarters campus
02 INSTALLATION
Aterno 200cm Sphere
Polished stainless steel water feature
03 SETTING
Central Courtyard Garden
Secure landscaped space inside 'The Doughnut'
THE SETTING
An iconic circular headquarters with a landscaped heart.
GCHQ’s Cheltenham headquarters opened in the early 2000s and brought two workforces together on a single 40-acre site.
The building is widely known as “The Doughnut” because of its distinctive open circular form. At the centre sits a large, secure garden designed for staff and visitors, creating a calm landscape within the architecture.
GCHQ © Crown Copyright 2025
THE INSTALLATION
A mirrored focal point at the centre of the building.
Within the secure garden sits an Aterno 200cm Stainless Steel Sphere Water Feature.
The polished surface reflects the planting and the curved sides of the surrounding headquarters, allowing the feature to connect visually with both the landscape and architecture.
At two metres in diameter, the sphere has enough scale to remain visually significant within the large central garden without overpowering the setting.
DESIGN RELATIONSHIP
A simple form that echoes the architecture.
The strength of the installation comes from the relationship between a perfectly rounded mirrored form, curved architecture and dense planting.
01 SCALE
A 200cm sphere creates sufficient presence for a large institutional landscape.
02 REFLECTION
The polished surface reflects planting, sky and the sweeping curves of the surrounding building.
03 CONTRAST
The precise steel form creates a strong counterpoint to the softer foliage and planting around it.
PLANNING A COMMERCIAL PROJECT?
Create a focal point that belongs in the space.
Tell us about the setting, approximate dimensions, architectural style and project timescale. Our team can help you explore the most suitable scale, material and installation approach.
0161 375 1235 • help@waterfeatures.com
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