Features / Architecture
11 new spaces to discover during Bristol Open Doors 2018
Over September 14-16, Bristol Open Doors will unlock more than 100 buildings across the city to discover fascinating heritage spaces, forgotten places and innovative design.
In addition to established favourites, this year’s festival features a healthy crop of newcomers to drop in on during the weekend. Find out more at www.bristolopendoors.org.uk
1. Castle Park Vaults
is needed now More than ever
Delve into the dark secrets of the Castle vaults which gives the park its name. View models of the original castle and see films relating to the post-war creation of Castle Park after heavy bombing.
2. Park Row Synagogue
A quiet sentinel of Park Row, take this rare opportunity to explore the historic home of Bristol’s Jewish congregation.
3. Redland High School
Walk around the former Redland High School and see its 18th-century Georgian splendour before it undergoes a major redevelopment into residential apartments in 2019.
4. The Courtyard, Montpelier
At a time when affordable housing in Bristol’s reaches crisis point, see how some innovative minds have successfully self-built a sustainable co-housing scheme.
5. UWE Film Studios, Bower Ashton
State of the art technology combines with traditional craft at UWE Bristol’s newest City Campus building. You’ll also have the chance to get behind the lens with the animators and filmmakers.
6. Clifton Cathedral
Newly reopened following recent refurbishment, enjoy this stark and imposing brutalist gem within Clifton’s Georgian environs.
7. Queen’s Engineering Building, University of Bristol
Visit the earthquake room in the latest extension to the University of Bristol. Learn how those working in the building are helping to engineer safer structures that can withstand seismic events.
8. Victoria Methodist Church, Whiteladies Road
Photo by Tom Bright
In the midst of a multi-million-pound renovation to repurpose the space as a cultural hub, discover the past, present and future of this church as it reaches its 150th anniversary.
9. The Station and Old Magistrates’ Court
Drop in to this sprawling complex on Silver Street for a chance to see the successful repurposing of the derelict fire station into a busy creative hub, and get a rare glimpse of the old courts before their renovation.
10. St Bernadette’s Church, Whitchurch
This exemplary piece of 20th-century modernist design has an ingenious self-supporting hyperbolic-paraboloid roof.
11. Bristol Central Library, College Green
Join a tour to discover the design details of the exterior and interior of this grand old building, whose basement is now home to Cathedral Primary School.
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