Bristol, UK
At Canon's House, our vision is to craft a series of captivating gardens, each with its own unique charm and flow. These green spaces serve as essential complements to the vibrant Lloyds Amphitheatre and the bustling Bristol Harbourside, enriching the area with beauty and energy.
A landscape in motion.
The buildings were designed by ARUP Associates and built for the Lloyd Banking Group between 1988 and 1991.
Canon's House was awarded Grade II Listed status in 2022.
The buildings were designed by ARUP Associates and built for the Lloyd Banking Group between 1988 and 1991.
Canon's House was awarded Grade II Listed status in 2022.
The landscape heritage was marshland and sandbanks before being developed into a shipbuilding area known as Canon's Wharf.
With the decline of the shipbuilding industry throughout the 20th century, Canons Marsh was cleared to make way for urban renewal. The area now includes Millennium Square, We the Curious, Bristol Aquarium, the South West offices of Lloyds Banking Group, a campus of the City of Bristol College, and several bars, restaurants, apartment buildings, and offices.
There’s a delicate balance between respecting and honouring the area's historic character and responding to the environmental challenges we face due to climate change and societal changes in a post-Covid world.
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Our design process has included a detailed analysis to aid our understanding of the site.
Exploring:
+ Topography
+ Underlying geology
+ Landscape designations
+ Heritage designations
+ Vehicle movement
+ Walking and cycling
+ Flood risk
+ Landscape typologies
+ Existing trees and ecology
+ Microclimate studies
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Integrating a network of dynamic green and blue spaces throughout the site and its surroundings is central to our design philosophy. A cornerstone of this approach is the implementation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), which play a pivotal role in managing water on-site. We aim to establish enhanced habitat corridors, providing sanctuaries for diverse wildlife and essential pollinators while effectively managing water resources for sustainable development.
The project aspires to enhance existing ecological habitats and biodiversity connections to the surrounding Harbourside.
The project aspires to enhance existing ecological habitats and biodiversity connections to the surrounding Harbourside.
Our landscape response draws inspiration from the natural heritage of the site, Canons Marsh, and the landscape and planting typologies that would have been prevalent to create a place grounded in its site-specific landscape heritage, resulting in a design approach that regenerates previously hard space to become multi-functional, adaptive, and resilient.
Our landscape response draws inspiration from the natural heritage of the site, Canons Marsh, and the landscape and planting typologies that would have been prevalent to create a place grounded in its site-specific landscape heritage, resulting in a design approach that regenerates previously hard space to become multi-functional, adaptive, and resilient.
A notable softening and greening of spaces not only enhances their beauty but also contributes positively to the physical and mental well-being of individuals. Additionally, these efforts play a crucial role in addressing the impacts of climate change.
Canon's House aims to revitalise its public-facing landscape to better connect with the Bristol Harbourside area. This initiative seeks to activate and repurpose previously unused spaces, fostering a more engaging environment for the community.
Client: Mactaggart Family & Partners and Longstock Capital
Year: 2023-Present
Location: Bristol, UK
Collaborators
Circle Development
Page Architects
ARUP
Avison Young
Pegasus Group
Velocity Transport Planning
Riskwise Consulting
