The Challenge:
Bristol Aero Collection Trust wanted to both celebrate the part the city had played in Britain's aviation history and to inspire the next generation about science and engineering with this project. To achieve this they wanted both a new hangar to house the Concorde 216 – BOAF, the last Concorde ever to take to the sky, and the restoration of a Grade 1 listed building featuring a large exhibition space fully restored to its original condition and a learning centre with facilities to deliver learning programmes.
Exhibition areas telling the story of Concorde, a 200 seat lecture theatre, mezzanine walkway offering superb view of the plane , catering facilities and a fireproof archive were also required for the new hangar. Months of planning were also required for moving the aircraft, which was never designed to be manoeuvred into a position with a 10mm tolerance.
The Solution:
The delivery of this facility was achieved through collaborative working between client and contractor, creative design and a vision to succeed. Work on the Grade II Listed hangar 16S included the restoration of the Belfast trusses, which create wonderful spans over the new exhibition space. The restored and cleaned brickwork breaks up the large exhibition spaces and the thermal envelope was upgraded with a new high-performance roofing system. The hangar's amenity block was sustainably designed using a lightweight structural timber frame and the inclusion of a demountable external façade also the Trust to mount larger exhibits in the future.
The team responded to client needs including developing a fundraising plan and providing a more affordable solution in collaboration with structural engineers Hydrock and M&E contractor Totus.
The Impact:
Bristol now has an amazing facility to showcase its role in aviation history and inspire young people to work in science and engineering. It is already attracting visitors from far and wide. Concorde 216 – BOAF had sat on an airfield for many years while funding took place and now has pride of place in the new hangar. Visitors can also enjoy the facilities of a large cafeteria and retail space.
View more projects
Every project we deliver is an opportunity for us to bring our unique thinking to solve problems, innovate and collaborate with our clients and beyond.
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We have delivered over £50m of works at London Gatwick Airport, working closely with key stakeholders to deliver a multi-storey car park, out of gauge (OOG) baggage, airline moves and upgrades of security facilities.
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Creating a new £19m aviation museum showcasing the role played by the Bristol site in Britain’s aviation history, including a hangar to house the last Concorde ever to fly, restoring a Grade 1 listed First World War hangar to create an exhibition space
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One of the most sustainable mixed-use building in the country and winner of the Prime Minister’s Better Public Building award.
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Reading Gateway
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Watford Riverwell
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Designing and constructing a new purpose-built maintenance and training facility.
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Motel One
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Gibraltar Point Visitor Centre
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Gatwick Airport Car Park 6
Designing and structurally refurbishing one of Gatwick Airport's largest multi storey car parks, expanding parking and storage areas, and working with many stakeholders to ensure that all safety, quality and commercial aspects were delivered in accordance with the airport’s stringent standards.
Finlake Leisure Pool
Designing and constructing a new leisure complex within this holiday village on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park in Devon, including toddler and 20m adult swimming pools, Tornado and Twister flume rides, and water playground, gymnasium, other leisure facilities and associated plant and equipment.
Crewe Lifestyle Centre
Creating a viable and affordable facility that brought all Crewe's lifestyle services - pool, gym, sports hall, library, specialist daycare and family service facilities - together under one roof, meeting a diverse range of user needs and building within a constrained town centre site.
Oldham Town Hall
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Wedge House
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Dyson, Hullavington
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Ponteland School & Leisure Centre
Ponteland School & Leisure Centre features a 420-place primary school and a 1,600-place secondary school, a state-of-the-art leisure centre with swimming pools, aqua play, spa, gym, climbing walls, dance studios, soft play zone, a 3G sports pitch, bar, cafés, library and a new community fire station.
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