3 opportunities

QUEEN’S ROAD BUILDINGUniversity of Bristol

Concept Proposals April 2010

This project is a fantastic opportunity to enhance the strengths of the existing building and rectify the weaknesses as follows:

Key Strengths

A wide range of facilities under one roof, including a 1,000+ capacity •performance venue, theatre, swimming pool and society rooms. This makes it an almost unique building in the UK.

The potential to remove low suspended ceilings to create tall spaces, •which with a new window design will be ideal for natural ventilation and daylighting.

Large, flexible floor areas with particularly few columns.•

Robust construction with some well-crafted original interior details.•

Amenities which benefit the local community.•

The potential for great views from all sides.•

Key Weaknesses

No level front entrance from the street, and a ‘backdoor’ entrance to the •swimming pool which offers no disabled access.

The building looks tired and dirty, and certain areas of the external walls •are physically deteriorating. The interior is also jaded.

Dark and oppressive aspect from the street: there are no views in or out •of the building at ground level.

Despite the potential for flexibility and daylight, much of the existing floor •area is heavily partitioned, with many inner rooms relying on electric lighting.

Extremely poor environmental performance and high carbon emissions.•

Uncomfortable environment: too hot in summer and cold in winter, •particularly in the link building.

Poor internal space planning and a lack of clear signage makes way-•finding difficult, as do inadequately identified lift and stair lobbies.

Certain spaces are under-used, particularly the link building, which •should be the hub of the place.

Ground level extension opportunity

Rooftop infill extension opportunity

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Site Plan showing opportunities for extending the QRB

The existing Queen’s Road facade