Pictures have been released of BBC Studios' new workspace in Bristol city centre. The offices at Finzels Reach will house teams from the Natural History Unit and Factual Entertainment Bristol, which produces programmes including Top Gear, Antiques Roadshow, Gardeners’ World, Countryfile and DIY SOS.
Last year, the Beeb announced it was moving the Natural History Unit from its historic headquarters in Clifton to Bridgwater House in the centre of Bristol. The broadcaster said at the time that Radio Bristol, Points West and Bristol's Radio 4 team would remain at Whiteladies Road "while future options are explored".
BBC Studios' new production base was designed by London architecture firm HOK. The corporation has leased the first three floors of the building and has its own entrance and main reception on the ground floor, with enough space for functions. There are also bi-fold doors extending the event space outside to a new landscaped garden, HOK said, and an auditorium for presentations and masterclasses.
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The first and second storeys house office space, with so-called "team neighbourhoods" wrapping around the perimeter of the workspace. The design firm said it used plants and dividers to form collaboration space and focus areas, and open shelving dividers with adjustable whiteboards to create "customisable team zones". A central breakout space overlooks the ground-floor event area and there are break-out and tea points in the centre of the office as well.
“We designed the new space to showcase BBC Studio’s content pioneers, inventors and reinventors while providing an inclusive, inspiring workplace that motivates its people to do their best work and helps them feel valued,” said Timothy Hatton, senior interior design professional at HOK.
According to HOK, it was "imperative" to provide a highly sustainable design for the BBC. The space has already been awarded a SKA Gold certification - an environmental accreditation.
All timber used in the project was certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), according to HOK, and parts of the office have been built with reclaimed wood. There are also cork walls and clay-based paint was used rather than traditional emulsion. The furniture selected for the office is mostly reused.
HOK collaborated with Studio B, AECOM, Cath Leach, and Currie & Brown on the design.
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