News PRP study trip: Exploring sustainable urban design in Bristol and Bath

PRP study trip: Exploring sustainable urban design in Bristol and Bath

Features, News

July 11, 2024

True to PRP’s commitment to reducing our own carbon footprint, this year’s study trip stayed within our national borders. Bath, England’s sole UNESCO World Heritage City, and Bristol, with its new council housing projects featuring high environmental sustainability considerations (such as the largest connecting cycling network in the UK, Biodiversity Net Gain, and Building with Nature), made our choice straightforward.

With the help of Design for Homes, led by David Birkbeck and supported by Rhiannon Bydawell, alongside our colleagues Clare Cameron and Alex Evans, our itinerary commenced with a visit to Brabazon Phase 1 on Saturday. Located on Filton Airfield—home to the iconic Concorde and Spitfires—the masterplan will accommodate over 2,500 new homes and commercial spaces. Phase 1, designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, will deliver 278 mixed-tenure homes, with completion nearing and initial occupancy underway.

Our first day continued with a visit to Brooks Dye Works, where Bristol City Council’s Head of Urban Design, Pete Insole, talked us through the main considerations for the scheme. Delivered by Bristol-based architects GCP, the project focuses on the landmark chimney of the former Brooks Laundry. The scheme’s success is evident in its inhabitation, as well as through the visible signs of regeneration in the wider area.

We could not visit the area without visiting the pioneering and award-winning Hanham Hall scheme. Completed in 2015 by HTA Design, this project was centred around the historical Grade 2* listed Hall, adhering to stringent Green Belt regulations. The design prioritised an array of green spaces, while also ensuring the scheme met the 2016 zero-carbon standard.

Upon arrival in Bristol, Patricia Gomez, Principal Urban Designer at Bristol City Council, took us on a quick walking tour of the city centre. This included a visit to the newly renovated Bristol Beacon, King Street, Castle Bridge, and St Nicholas’ Market—currently undergoing renovation.

Day two, Sunday, kicked off with a boat tour of Bristol with Pete Insole, during which we learned more about the city’s history and ongoing projects.

We ended the weekend with a walk to Brunel’s famous Clifton Suspension Bridge and Clifton Observatory, following which we swiftly made our way to cheer on England in the Euros at a local pub.

Monday, day three, started early with a train journey to Bath to visit the Roman Baths and Pulteney Bridge.

Shortly after lunch, we met Amanda Taylor, Urban Design Director at Nash Partnership, who took us on a walk to the Circus, the Royal Crescent, and to the Western Riverside, where many new developments in Bath are taking place. Here we saw the integration of the River Avon flood defence scheme with its terraces, designed to act as a pedestrian route or flood as necessary. 

We also walked around the Alison Brooks Architects’ Albert Crescent scheme, which sought to reinterpret the traditional Bath terraced houses. The tour concluded with a walk around the new ‘Tranquil Park’, Elizabeth Parade, and Stothert Avenue, where we tried to spot all the urban art pieces incorporated into the Riverside development.

After a few hours of free time in Bath, we met up at the train station for our return journey to London, exhausted yet inspired by the experience. Thank you to everyone for contributing to such a beautiful trip!