Project Description

Set in the heart of Bristol, just a stone’s throw from Temple Meads train station, this project involves constructing three buildings ranging from 6 to 10 storeys. The development comprises 108 build-to-rent residential apartments (Use Class C3), including affordable housing, a hotel (Use Class C1) with a restaurant and ground-floor commercial units (Use Class E), and an extended-stay aparthotel (Use Class C1). The project also introduces public realm areas, open spaces, landscaping, walkways, accessible parking bays, cycle storage, and waste and recycling facilities.

Project Challenges

Adjacent to the floating dock harbour, the site sits above Brunel’s historic dock, with dock walls and crane bases just two metres below ground. We have coordinated column placements to avoid these below-ground obstructions, and where necessary, have proposed pile caps that span across the walls.

Further challenges stem from the requirement for various access ramps along the riverside, which limit the footprint of one building. This has required a portion of Building C’s structure to cantilever over one of the access ramps. Rather than using a large transfer beam, we at Robert Bird Group worked closely with the design team to utilise available ceiling void space, implementing a cantilevered slab with beams approach at each level.

Added Value

To address below-ground obstructions and a change of use between Level 02 and the floors below, we collaborated within a 3D environment from the outset to coordinate with the architect on a column arrangement. This arrangement not only supports efficient floor slabs on the upper levels but also eliminates the need for superstructure transfer beams, simplifying the design and enhancing overall project efficiency.