Bristol, England
1996 – 2002
Competition Design – 1st Prize

Certain obligations for the design are inherent to the urban context.  These include the site boundary and space of the harbour quayside, views to important Bristol landmarks, the site’s location between two public squares and Bristol’s remarkably varying topography.

From Bristol’s high ground, the form and layout of the harbourside are clearly understood.  The CPA building will contribute a special, sculptural shape which not only describes an image for the CPA but also, through contrast, heightens the qualities of the other harbourside buildings.  The complexity of exterior form will allow the building to present different scales when viewed from the harbour, from street level or from the hills above the city.

The building volume consists of three principal elements:  an administration building, a concert hall and a dance theatre.  These elements are not individually evident from the exterior because they are united by a large, common roof and below by a concourse of free, open space.  However, because of their discreet arrangement, operational, technical and acoustical separation is possible.

The physical separation between the concert auditorium, the dance theatre and the administration area also permits the building a significant transparency at the main entrance and foyer.  Through this separation, which forms the entrance hall, a visitor can indirectly experience the quayside of the harbour from New World Square.  Indirect sightlines through the building allow views of the harbour, the Arnolfini Gallery, the Industrial Museum and the foliage lining the opposite quayside.  Through this transparency one of the great attractions of the Harbourside, the harbour itself, will be preserved and enjoyed.