It’s that time of year again, you know the most wonderful time of the year. So it’s time to get out the Christmas jumpers, pop open the pink fizz and smother those mince pies in brandy butter.
Our final blog post of 2016 focuses on a bespoke Christmas design that we have commissioned from Carys-Ink, https://www.carys-ink.com/ a Bristol based illustrator and designer.
Carys has taken some of our favourite Bristol buildings as the inspiration for this design. These are less well known than the usual suspects, but just as beautiful, interesting and loved by us Bristolians. So take a look and see how many you can spot. If you get stuck here are the answers…..
The Purdown BT Tower: at 70.1 metres tall this majestic, iconic landmark has been guarding the entrance to Bristol just by the M32 since 1970.
The floodlights at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club: a new, bold C21st addition to Bristol’s skyline, lighting up the skyline as well as lighting the cricket club’s way forward.
Bristol and Exeter House: situated next to Temple Meads Station this building has been lovingly restored by TCN and provides high quality office accommodation as part of the wider Temple Design Studios complex. Part of the new wave of edge of city regeneration schemes which are transforming places and spaces.
Pero’s Bridge: standing proud at the heart of the City Docks this bridge commemorates an C18th slave, Pero Jones, of the Pinney family. It was designed by Irish artist Eilis O’Connell and made by one of the last boat builders in the city.
Bristol Jamia Mosque: is the beating heart of the Islamic community in South Bristol. It’s an integral part of the community and architecture of Totterdown.
The WCA Co-Operative Warehouse: was a landmark conversion of a Grade II listed warehouse in the City Docks by Bristol Churches Housing Association in 1997. Just goes to show you can do affordable housing in luxury locations.
The Planetarium: is the UK’s only 3D planetarium. An iconic structure in Millennium Square, it stands round and proud, just like a giant Christmas bauble.
The Generator Building: a beauty of a Grade II* listed building which forms part of the Finzels Reach quarter. In previous lives this old girl has housed the Courage Brewery Accounts Department and Archive and before that was an electricity generator station for Bristol’s trams. So she used to get Bristol moving.
Electricity House: a beautiful Art Deco Grade II listed building, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, he of the red phone box, Battersea Power Station and St Pancras Chambers fame. Moored at the head of Colston Avenue, this Portland Stone icon has been regenerated and reloved to provide luxury living for city centre dwellers.
Colston Hall: the new entrance hall replaced a Grade II listed Art Deco office building. This adds a modern and glamourous touch to Bristol’s entertainment scene.
Knowle Water Tower: a majestic and grand old dame standing proud on Talbot Hill, constructed in 1905 and listed Grade II in 1977. She forms an iconic building within Knowle and on Bristol’s eastern skyline.
Banana Bridge: this spans the New Cut connecting Totterdown with Redcliffe. Built in 1883 and repositioned when Bedminster Bridge was constructed a bit further down river, this is a locally loved footbridge affectionately nicknamed because of its shape and colour.
Lakeshore: in a previous life was Imperial Tobacco’s Admin HQ, but has now been reinvented by the Kings of Regeneration Urban Splash and Ferguson Mann Architects. This Grade II beauty retains the simplicity of her class and style in her latest guise as an innovative, eco led, residential complex sitting in a beautiful landscape. Just shows what you can do with listed buildings!
The Carriage Works: hopefully there’s a spectacular future for this old girl sitting in the heart of Stokes Croft. Another Grade II listed building that exudes character into a vibrant, community led part of the City.
The Cranes: what can be said about these beauts. Saved from the threat of destruction in the 1970s, they remain resplendent against the backdrop of M Shed. Did you know they also dance beautifully when asked?
Steps up to St George’s: leading to a world famous, magical, musical venue. This classical Georgian Grade II* listed building is soon to be joined to a contemporary extension designed by Patel Taylor to provide more space for visitors, performers and students.
So did you guess them all? Are any of these your favourites too? If not what buildings or structures would you choose?. Tweet your thoughts to @Planningventure.
Happy Christmas all and here’s to a fabulous 2017!
Jules and Lyn x