Lulsgate House

Lulsgate House takes off

Working collaboratively with Bristol Airport we developed, designed and delivered the strategic relocation of 1000+ administrative staff, operational teams and airline crew into purpose built accommodation. This has released existing sub-optimal buildings and land for beneficial redevelopment as part of the Airport’s masterplan vision.

The project incorporated modular temporary accommodation, an extensive refurbishment and two new builds, including the Cat A and Cat B design and delivery of Lulsgate House – a new office building for use by the Airport’s own staff as well as a number of partner organisations.

In addition to the owner occupier, we undertook extensive engagement with more than a dozen other stakeholders to ensure unique operational and security requirements had been accounted for.

At Lulsgate House, we developed a workplace strategy to support the client’s move from cellular offices into an open plan, agile working environment. There were significant and complex accommodation requirements that had to be considered. The efficiency of the floor plates was maximised and an atrium introduced to bring natural light into the centre of the deep plan, becoming the active centre point of the building.

The focus of the project was the creation of a high quality working environment that supports collaboration, positive health and wellbeing. The accommodation includes cycle storage, showers and changing facilities, a gym, roof terrace, flexible meeting spaces and extensive welfare and breakout areas.

The internal aesthetic is an honest expression of the steel structure and exposed services installation. However, these two factors required careful acoustic consideration. We worked with Hydrock’s specialist team to ensure the open plan floor space had an appropriate sound balance for the range of tasks that will take place within it. The result is a series of randomly arranged, hexagonal suspended rafts that provide acoustic function as well as making a strong visual statement, defining areas and adding interest to the soffit.

Finishes and artwork are themed around the Airport’s destinations as well as Bristol based landmarks and heritage with joinery items incorporating actual aircraft components.