Distillery’s overarching goal is to deliver a beautiful, connected public realm that seamlessly integrates with the existing urban fabric, all while pushing to ‘raise the bar’ in terms of quality, sustainability, urban greening and overall user experience for its occupants and industry peers.
The proposals aim to create a destination with a strong sense of place, drawing inspiration from the site’s historical context as a former distillery as well as improving the permeability of the public realm by establishing a network of pedestrian-friendly routes through the site.
The site is located just north of Temple Meads train station, in the heart of Bristol city centre. Its central location offers excellent connectivity, with Castle Park, Broadmead, Cabot Circus and key city centre amenities all within easy walking distance.
The landscape vision is to create an immersive, nature-rich setting with functional outdoor spaces that enhance the visual character of the streetscape. A central park features mature trees, an amenity lawn and a woodland garden, providing a vital green retreat for both occupants and the wider community.
At the heart of the development, the central lawn and tree grove serve as a prominent, easily accessible external amenity spaces for all building occupants. In contrast, the adjacent woodland area adopts a more organic layout, offering a tranquil retreat for relaxation and social interaction. The connecting streets and spaces are enriched with vibrant planting, quality materials, and thoughtfully integrated public art, enhancing the overall experience and reinforcing a strong sense of place.
The design draws inspiration from the distilling process, the role of water, and the surrounding natural landscapes, creating a unique sense of place that honours the site’s history while offering inviting, people-friendly spaces.
Focusing on green infrastructure, the concept integrates nature into the urban fabric, enhancing biodiversity, air quality, and storm water management, all while promoting well-being. With a harmonious blend of historical reference and modern functionality, the designs aim to provide aesthetic, environmental and social benefits through a vibrant, sustainable public realm.
BREEAM Target: Outstanding
The team
Meet the designers, innovators and specialists who are bringing Distillery’s story to life…
