Great Western Dockyard

Location
Bristol
Client
Linden Homes
Value
£12m
Completion
2011
Size
145 apartments

Mixed use scheme pays tribute to historic dockyard

This project is located within the exciting harbour regeneration area in central Bristol. The site forms part of the historic Great Western Dockyard, which houses Brunel’s SS Great Britain iron ship. This is an internationally important visitor attraction and a centre of learning for historic ships and dockyards.

The development comprises 145 one and two bedroom apartments together with bespoke accommodation for the new ‘Brunel Institute’ conservation and learning centre for the SS Great Britain Trust. Within it, there are eight affordable units, six for rent and two for shared ownership.

The apartments are provided in 3 principal blocks linked together with a series of low rise ‘sheds’ fronting onto the historic dockyard. The size, massing and location of the buildings are derived from the ‘steamship engine works’ and ‘mast loft’ buildings built by Brunel in 1839 to facilitate construction of the SS Great Britain. We developed a modern industrial aesthetic and a limited pallet of carefully chosen materials – including pennant stone, brickwork, timber and zinc cladding and galvanised steel – to further enhance the character of Bristol’s famous dockyard.