Architects Datafile (ADF) – June 2019

6NEWS

WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK ADF JUNE 2019

Developer YTL has announced the design

team for its plan to deliver an arena for

Bristol in the historic Brabazon aircraft

hangars. The company has selected architect

Grimshaw, working in partnership with

Manica Architecture and landscape architect

Grant Associates, for the project to create an

arena by repurposing the aircraft hangars at

the former Filton Airfield.

YTL’s vision is for an arena capable of

housing up to 17,000 people that puts

Bristol on the world map for hosting

large-scale events, while also celebrating the

site’s place in aviation history.

Following the announcement of the

design team, the aim is to submit a full

planning application for the YTL Arena to

Bristol City Council in the coming months.

The arena forms part of a wider

transformation of the local area. The

hangars sit on the edge of Filton Airfield,

which is now being transformed into

Brabazon, a thriving new neighbourhood

for Bristol. The 380-acre site will become a

“new urban community,” with more than

2,600 homes, creative workplaces and a

vibrant town centre set amongst public

squares and parkland.

Planning approval to deliver Brabazon’s

first 278 new homes was awarded in

March 2019. Construction of the scheme,

which was designed by architects Feilden

Clegg Bradley Studios, is due to start later

this year.

YTL Arena Bristol managing director,

Andrew Billingham, said, “We are very

excited to announce our design team. This

represents a very positive step forward for

us. We are now working up our firm

proposals to repurpose the Brabazon

hangars to create a visionary arena that will

put Bristol on the world stage.”

Seb Loyn, planning and development

director of YTL Developments, comments:

“We have secured an exceptional team to

drive the arena project through the planning

process. We are now focused on delivering a

design which respects the rich heritage of

the site, ensuring the YTL Arena becomes a

destination Bristol can be proud of.”

Grimshaw-led team announced for

arena in repurposed aircraft hangars

LEISURE

AWARDS

Architecture MasterPrize

14 October, Spain

http://www.architectureprize.com

FESTIVALS

London Festival of Architecture

01 - 30 June, London

http://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org

OPEN EVENING

LFA Open Evening at RIBA Incubator

14 June, London

http://www.architecture.com/whatson

SEMINARS

RIBA + Vitra Talk: Intergenerational

Dialogues

18 June, London

http://www.architecture.com/whats-on

RIBA Conservation Course London

20 - 28 June, London

http://www.architecture.com/whats-on

TRADE SHOWS

FIREX International

18 - 20 June, London

http://www.firex.co.uk

IFSEC International

18 - 20 June, London

http://www.ifsec.events/international

EVENTS

TODD Architects has announced that

construction has commenced on The

Mercantile office development in Belfast

following approval by Belfast City

Council. The landmark building is

located on a prime commercial site

within the main public square and civic

space in Belfast City Centre.

Killultagh Estates appointed

the architects when the property initially

came to the market. The subsequent

design development was “not without its

challenges along the way,” said the archi-

tects, but has resulted in a planning

approval for 95,000 ft^2 of development

over nine floors together with a

basement.

The architectural approach is

“contemporary but respectful of

context,” utilising cut stonework and

bronze anodised aluminium to articulate

the verticality.

It is anticipated that the ground floor

and basement will be occupied by

restaurant or leisure uses to provide

“activity’ at street level,” with the upper

levels providing high-quality and flexible

office space capable of a variety of fit-

out and workplace permutations and

bespoke solutions accessed via a double-

height corporate foyer.

The Donegall Square South facade is

primarily glazed with three projecting

bays providing good daylight quality

and outlook. The floorplates start to set

back to reflect the notional ‘shoulder’

height adopted around the Donegall

Square area providing accessible roof

terraces looking across the wider city

centre area.

Laura McCarthy, senior asset manager

at Killultagh Estates said, “We are

delighted to have appointed TODD

Architects to have the pivotal role within

our creative team behind The

Mercantile. This is a key development

for us and demonstrates our commit-

ment to the city, where we see this devel-

opment as a rebirth of one of Belfast's

foremost business locations overlooking

the magnificent City Hall.”

The demolition of the existing build-

ing is underway with construction of the

new building due to complete in 2020.

Belfast’s “most

exclusive new

business address”

OFFICE