01 INTRODUCTION. Student Learning Hub University of Bristol, Beacon House. Proposals for Beacon House. Have your say

Transcription

1 01 INTRODUCTION Proposals for Beacon House Welcome to this exhibition which shows proposals being brought forward by the University of Bristol to refurbish and improve Beacon House (former Habitat Building) to provide a new student hub with additional study and learning spaces and a new public reception point for the University. The Grade II listed building has been vacant since Habitat closed three years ago. Situated on the Clifton triangle, it is ideally located for the University on a popular student walking route linking the Clifton Halls of Residence, the Richmond Building (Student Union) and the Victoria Rooms to the main precinct. Earlier this year the University received planning and listed building consent for the change of use and modifications to the ground and upper ground floors of the building to provide new retail and student study space. Since then the University has successfully acquired the freehold of Beacon House and is now bringing forward comprehensive plans for the whole building. These feature a new student learning centre with quiet desk study spaces and separate areas for group working, as well as a café, a pop-up bookshop and a new front of house reception for the University. The project will deliver significant improvements to the student experience and create a flagship student facing facility on the city campus and act as shop-front for the University in a highprofile public location. The building will help shift the axis of the campus towards the city and the Students Union building and help to create a central spine to the city campus connecting all along from Tyndall Avenue to Queen s Road. Have your say The University and its project team would like to hear the views of those living and working in the area and also feedback from University staff and students before submitting an application for planning and listed building consent. Please make any comments or suggestions and post your completed form in the box provided or return to ABC at the address shown. The consultation material is also available online at If you have any further queries please contact: ABC, Consultation Co-ordinator Tel: or info@abc-pr.co.uk PROJECT TEAM Client Architects Planning Consultant Building Surveyors M+E Consultants - University of Bristol - AWW - Alder King - Walker Ladd Ltd - Silcock Dawson

2 02 THE SITE Campus map Site Location Located at the Clifton triangle and near the University of Bristol main precinct, the site maintains a prominent position at the corner of Queen s Avenue and Queens Road. Description Beacon House is a Grade II listed building formerly known as Queen s Hotel. It was built in The façade on the upper floors (above the existing canopy) has period architectural decoration in the form of pilasters, cornice and frieze. These features are typical of the building s neo-classical style. The interior has been remodelled extensively to suit its former use as a retail store (Gardiner and Sons Ltd, Debenhams and most recently Habitat). Building Analysis Beacon House is situated on a pedestrian thoroughfare which is an important route between Whiteladies Road and Park Street. It is also close to the University of Bristol s main precinct, and is on a natural route between the precinct and the Student Union. The building s main frontage is along Queens Road and turns the corner to Queen s Avenue. The previous retail unit occupied lower ground, ground and first floors, as one large unit. Consequently there are large shop fronts that give views into the building and are suitable to house displays. The upper floors of the original neo-classical building are separated from the large retail unit, and can be accessed via a door in the front façade. Planning Statement Heritage impacts are a principal consideration at the site given the property s Grade II listed status and also its location within the Clifton and Hotwells Conservation Area. Therefore it is necessary to ensure that any proposal preserves or enhances the character and appearance of the conservation and does not affect the property s character as a building of special architectural or historical interest. Further, due to the property s prominent position on a busy public thoroughfare, it will also be necessary that the property retains a vibrant frontage at ground floor level, thereby maintaining an active and interesting street-scene. The exterior of Beacon House

3 03 UNIVERSITY BRIEF General Create a new focal point for the University, in a high profile public location with a manned reception point providing access for students and the general public. Provide an open and welcoming space to students and new visitors to the University alike. Maximise the use of study space, to meet a growing demand by students for flexible learning spaces. Create a high quality flagship student facing facility on the city campus. Queens Road Retail Frontage The existing building s interior Main entrance for public and student enquiries. Creation of a vibrant and dynamic space which encourages interaction between the University and the public. University Reception desk to be manned during normal working hours. Exhibition/ display space, to showcase the University and its research, teaching and cultural assets. High quality environment to be vibrant, dynamic and attractive, in line with the desire to be a flagship facility. Provision of a café for students and the public with flexibility of layout to house temporary retail/ exhibition space. Lower Ground and First Floor Retail Space The main focus is to provide flexible study space that feels student friendly, robust, vibrant and modern. Maximum flexibility and study seat numbers (balanced with high end quality finish) target for 350+ seats (20% social learning, 40% group space, 40% quiet/ silent space, with mix of 3, 6, 8 size group facilities). A teaching/ event space used for different purposes at different times of the year, from study, to skills teaching to events. Use of the entrance along Queen s Avenue as the main entrance for students, with access control/ security First Floor - Beacon House Creation of a post grad-graduate research hub, this would be part of the study space and learning commons mix. Access to be via the main student entrance and controlled so that only post-graduates will be able to use the space. Priority will be to provide space to facilitate events and social learning. Examples of the University s other learning spaces

4 04 PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR

5 05 PROPOSED FIRST FLOOR

6 06 PROPOSED ELEVATIONS Elevations The two storey later addition adjoins Beacon House to the rear and has its main elevation along Queens Avenue. It has high level windows on the first floor which do not positively contribute to the listed building, do not have any particular architectural merit and are also provide insufficient light into the building. Therefore it is proposed that these windows are enlarged by lowering the sill to enhance the interior space for students and to create a more attractive and interesting streetscape. Due to their good size the existing ground floor windows will be retained. It is considered that they will lend themselves to the proposed ground floor café and student study space, thereby maintaining an active and vibrant frontage.

7 07 WHAT S NEXT Your Feedback Your views are important in helping to finalise these proposals. Please complete a comment form and either post in the box provided or return to ABC at the address shown. If you leave contact details at the exhibition we will make sure you are kept informed about the progress of this project. What Happens Next End of October 2014 November 2014 January 2015 February 2015 March 2015 August Submit for planning and listed building application. - Design Team prepares detailed drawings to enable project to be tendered. - Receipt of planning approval. - Contractor appointed. - Work commences onsite. - Project complete for start of 2015/ 2016 academic year. Feedback from this consultation and ongoing discussions with Bristol City Council and other consultative groups will be carefully considered by the University of Bristol and their project team as the scheme is prepared for a planning submission at the end of October. Once the application has been submitted to Bristol City Council you will then have another opportunity to see and comment on the proposals. Once registered the full suite of planning documents will be available to view on the Council s public access system, and following the planning links. You can view this exhibition and other information about the project online at: If you have any questions please speak to a member of the team at the exhibition or contact: Avril Baker or Carolyn Jones ABC, 5 Lilymead Avenue, Bristol BS4 2BY Tel or info@abc-pr.co.uk