Working with developer Skanska, Grimshaw has designed a master plan for Bristol Temple Square in Bristol, England, that will contain a new start-up incubator and co-working space known as Engine Shed 02. The development will serve as an activated public area linking the Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station and the city center.
The masterplan unlocks a previously isolated site adjacent to the Temple Circus roundabout by creating a new walkway, the Brunel Mile, which prioritizes pedestrian and cyclist circulation through the area. A new public square along the path will also contribute to reinvigorating the neighborhood.
The scheme also calls for the renovation of the Grade II listed and long derelict George and Railway Hotel, transforming the building into a new office and co-working space with a modern 6-story addition. The adaptable, column-free building would contain over 43,000 square feet of floor space that could be configured to meet the needs of a variety of tenants, from start-ups to larger businesses.
“Lower levels are designed to emulate a ‘shed’ through the use of profiled metal cladding and external structural steel elements. Responding to its context, the home for Engine Shed 02 celebrates the engineering legacy of Victorian architecture with its lower floors referencing features of the adjacent hotel, and its relatable scale ensures the scheme sits in harmony with its neighbour,” explain the architects in a press release.
The upper levels of the building will contrast with its industrial base, using patterned glass and screening elements to create a light-filled interior appropriate for businesses or studios.
“The building for Engine Shed 02 and wider master plan for Bristol Temple Square are ambitious projects in an exciting new development,” said Grimshaw Principal Andrew Byrne.
“We relish the chance to provide considered architecture for a world renowned start-up incubator, and look forward to setting the benchmark for developments of this kind as Bristol continues its drive to be a leading tech and business hub.”
Planning applications for Engine Shed 02 have been submitted to the Bristol City Council following public consultation earlier this month. A full timetable for the project has yet to be revealed.
News via Grimshaw.
