Robinson Building
The residential conversion of a C19th paper bag factory in Bedminster
Our client said….
We were very pleased to receive the well-deserved CABE Building for Life Silver Standard award 2010, regional winner of the Premier Guarantee Conversion project of the Year 2010, and a Bristol Civic Society Environmental Award in 2011 for this innovative conversion.
The Story
The Robinson Building was a former paper bag factory and printing works, built in the 1870s. It is a landmark building which visually dominates the southern end of the East St Conservation Area. The building had fallen into extensive disrepair when our client, Urbis, purchased the building in 2007.
The deep plan posed a challenge in designing pleasant and bright spaces for living. We also wished to preserve and restore as much of the original interior as possible - particularly the cast iron columns and beams and the brickwork.
In order to make the project viable approximately an additional 20 apartments were required over and above what could be fitted within the existing envelope.
Our design punched a 12m diameter hole through the centre of the building, capped with a ETFE dome which allowed light the flood into the heart of the building. Apartments can therefore face in two directions.
The original cast iron structure was retained, fire-proofed as necessary, and the existing brick walls were exposed internally. Original areas of glazed brick were restored. All windows were replaced with new steel windows with opening sections, replicating the originals.
The new two storey roof addition provided duplex apartments with views across Bristol.
The building is heated by a mini-district heating system with centralised ventilation incorporating heat recovery. Natural ventilation is assisted via the atrium using stack effect cooling.
Project Team:
Client: Urbis Development
Consulting structural & civil engineers: Hydrock
Consulting services engineers: Silcock Dawson
Contractor: Urbis