Bristol General Hospital
Holistic transformation of a historic hospital site
- Location
- South West
- Client
- City and Country
Purcell was commissioned in 2013 by City & Country to produce the detailed designs for a multi-million pound redevelopment of Bristol General Hospital.
The Grade II listed site falls within the boundaries of the Redcliffe Conservation Area and forms a prominent part of Bristol city centre.
There is rich diversity in the design of the buildings, from the understated simplicity of the layouts to the highly complex designs present in some of the dwellings.
Our team developed a detailed design for 206 residential apartments with mixed-use commercial space within the lower ground floors that overlook the Bathurst basin harbour. The scheme has a blend of refurbishment and new build and has been strategically organised into four development phases that are centred on the fountain courtyard.
A strategic approach
The phased approach to the project has meant the design team have been working to a very fast paced schedule and timely delivery has been essential. Due to the nature of the scheme, the site constraints and how the buildings have evolved over time, the team explored solutions by looking at the site holistically. This means they have been able to introduce creative design solutions to ensure that the overall infrastructure strategies work.
View from the Iron Foundry podium courtyard looking towards Bathhurst Basin, the rich gold and bronze tones within the aluminium rain screen system work with Pennant & Bath Stone of the adjacent listed building.
The design replaces traditional gardens with a variety of private open spaces such as courtyards, roof terraces and large balconies. The scheme also adopts a holistic approach to environmental design, creating a well-rounded and sustainable complex.
There is rich diversity in the design of the buildings, from the understated simplicity of the layouts to the highly complex designs present in some of the dwellings.
The external materials comprise mostly of bricks selected to closely match the traditional Bath & Pennant stone.
Many elements of the buildings were fabricated off-site. This increased speed of construction, reduced waste, and improved environmental performance. As they age, the stock bricks, composite timber and aluminium windows, and copper and zinc facades will require minimal maintenance.
Client: City & Country
Expertise: Architecture & Design Heritage Consultancy
Listed status: Grade II
Funding: Private
