Richmond Building

Refurbishment of the former Queen's Road building

Mockup of the new building

Mockup of the new building

Project goals

This exciting project will completely transform a very large, tired 1960’s concrete building to prepare it for a long future providing excellent facilities for students and staff. Over a number of construction phases the project will create new spaces for existing activities, including the Students’ Union, Anson Rooms and swimming pool; and new facilities including the International Foundation Programme.

the old Student's Union

the old Student's Union

Background

The Queen’s Road Building was built in 1965 by the University of Bristol to provide a home for the Students’ Union in the Clifton Conservation Area. The building was designed to meet the pastoral, recreational and social needs of an expanding student population living away from home. Hence the original design included large meeting rooms, television and games rooms, a barber, a bakery, dining rooms and bars, a proscenium theatre and a swimming pool. As a result the building is vast in size, with a floor area equivalent to nearly four full-size football pitches.

mockup of new foyer

Mockup of new foyer

Sustainability

The building was designed and built at a time before environmental concern. It is single glazed and equipped with out-of-date and inefficient lighting and ventilation systems. The amount of energy needed to run the existing building is neither economically viable nor environmentally acceptable. The cost of re-glazing and re-servicing the building is a more economical and environmental option than doing nothing. The new glazing design combined with new layouts also allows a shift from mechanical to natural ventilation for many of the spaces, further helping the project to meet the University’s exacting sustainability targets.

Dance studios

Dance studios

Organising the building

The project is a one-off opportunity to organise all the facilities in the building so that they are in the right place and the best size. The key aim is to give students easy access to the student focused facilities. Therefore the vibrant social and performance spaces, activity spaces and group study spaces will be concentrated around the entrance foyer and lower floors, rather than on the more remote upper floors that many of them currently occupy. In turn these upper floors will provide quieter teaching, study and administrative facilities.

Site progress

Site Progress

Site progress

The new glazing on the north elevation is complete and works to the new entrance and swimming pool changing rooms are well underway.

Floor preparation

Floor preparation

Floor preparation

Seminar rooms are being erected on the fourth floor of the north elevation in preparation for occupancy by the International Foundation Programme.

site image

site image

Site image

Designed space for the International Foundation Programme takes shape showing the seminar rooms on either side.

Extension progress

Extension progress

Extension progress

Progress continues on the new extension with roof works, masonry and window installation, September 2012.

External works

External works

External works

External works to the North block have been completed and the face of the Richmond Building has been uplifted. This includes, a new footpath and landscaping along Queens Road and a new entrance way for the Swimming pool.

New entrance foyer

New entrance foyer

New entrance foyer

The new Richmond Building entrance which leads to the swimming pool through the main doors on the ground floor and up into the foyer of the main building is complete.

International Foundation Programme

International Foundation Programme

International Foundation Programme

The seminar rooms are complete for the International Foundation Programme in their new premises.

International Foundation Programme

International Foundation Programme

International Foundation Programme

The two floors that span the International Foundation Programme area are complete and the contractors have left the site.

Entrance

Entrance

Entrance

The new entrance way to the Richmond Building has transformed the look of the Queens Road frontage.

Entrance2

Queens Road entrance

Queens Road transformation

Glazing extends down Queens Road along the pool entrance corridor at the front of the building.

Pool entrance

Pool entrance

Pool entrance

The swimming pool entrance with its views out onto Queens Road.

Changing Rooms

Changing rooms

Pool Changing Rooms

The new swimming pool changing rooms are complete and in use.

Swimming pool

Swimming pool

Swimming pool

The refurbished swimming pool.

International Foundation Programme

International Foundation Programme

Centre for English Language and Foundation Studies

Study spaces fill the area between seminar rooms at the Centre for English Language and Foundation Studies.

International Foundation Programme

International Foundation Programme

Centre for English Language and Foundation Studies

Social study space is created on the second floor of the Centre. The place is well lit with sky lights in the roof and an opening to the floor below.

International Office

International Office

International Office

The International Office enjoying their new open plan working on the third floor.

Link space

Link space

Link space

Works continue on the renovation of the 'link' spaces in the second phase of work at the Richmond Building which will provide social study space as well as quiet, formal study areas.

Anson Rooms

Anson Rooms

Anson Rooms

The renovated Anson Rooms now showcase full length glazing along the Queens Road elevation, offering natural light for day time events such as conferences and exhibitions.

Anson Rooms

Anson Rooms

Anson Rooms

A new partition has also been installed within the Anson Rooms so that the large floor area can be divided into smaller spaces. A partition is also used to block all natural light for concert and theatre events.

Activity space

Activity space

Activity space

The activity spaces have been fitted out for flexible use by societies and teaching.

Mandela Bar

Mandela Bar

Mandela Bar

The newly refurbished Mandela Bar which serves the Anson Rooms.

Stage 2

Stage 2

Stage 2

Stage 2 works have commenced and the scaffolding is being erected on the South and link blocks.

Link space

Link space

Link space

A focus of the Stage 2 works is the refurbishment of the link block areas on floors 1 - 4. These spaces will provide a mixture of quiet, group and bookable meeting and social study spaces.

  • Stage 2 renovation of the building has commenced which will include new UBU space and refurbished 'link' areas providing space for study and informal meetings.
  • Final completion in October 2014.
  • Further details are available on the latest newsletter (PDF, 292kB)

For further information on the project please contact;