Brunel House, Bristol

Brunel House comprises recently refurbished Grade II listed student accommodation building in the centre of Bristol. The accommodation is set around a three-tiered courtyard, featuring […]

Brunel House comprises recently refurbished Grade II listed student accommodation building in the centre of Bristol. The accommodation is set around a three-tiered courtyard, featuring original murals from local artist Andy Council. Formerly a hotel for those crossing the Atlantic on the SS Great Western, Brunel House has a stunning neo-classical facade and an amphitheatre that was once used to trade horses.

This multi-disciplinary project involved members from our Ecology, Arboriculture, Landscape and Graphics teams working together to sensitively redevelop and design wildlife friendly gardens. The aim of the scheme was to provide an attractive landscape setting for students whilst increasing biodiversity to encourage wildlife within this urban setting in the centre of Bristol.

FPCR helped secure full planning permission for the site through conducting ecological and arboricultural assessments, discussions with Bristol City Council and through production of a detailed planting scheme in consultation with the RSPB.

Part of the ecological proposals for the scheme included relocation of existing orchids and rare ivy broomrape, creation of a restricted access ‘wildlife area’ to encourage natural regeneration and protection of the wildlife habitats and a planting scheme with species specifically chosen to attract pollinator species.

FPCR’s graphics team also produced an interpretation board for the site to give more information for students on the wildlife benefits of the scheme.

The scheme was awarded the 2019 Green Apple Silver Award for Environmental Best Practice. It was also shortlisted in the RICS South West Awards for Building Conservation Project of the Year 2019.