Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios) is an architectural and urban design practice with an international reputation for design quality, for pioneering environmental expertise and a progressive architectural approach. We started small 40 years ago in Bath and continue to be committed to social and humanistic values in our work. We believe excellence in design can facilitate change, improvement and transformation in society and we regularly take part in dialogue on place, heritage and climate change. Although we are an international practice, we have always worked in our founding city and have strong connections to it. Many of our architects teach and lecture at the University of Bath’s department of architecture and engineering, and our employees are involved in various local initiatives. These include Forest of Imagination – an annual pop-up contemporary arts event in the city – and TEDxBath, a one-day conference focusing on local ideas and issues. TEDxBath is an independent part of the global TED organisation.
Architects for Zero Carbon
As a practice we have tasked ourselves with challenging every one of our current projects to reach carbon zero by 2030 or sooner, and on our existing projects we offer whole life carbon and cost modelling.
As founder members of Architects Declare we are supporting our clients in their pursuit of low and zero carbon development. We are engaged with designers and contractors across the industry to improve operational performance and reduce carbon impacts of construction.
Architects for Heritage
In addition to our long-standing expertise in sustainability we are experienced award-winning heritage architects. The UNESCO city of Bath continues to offer a unique inspirational backdrop to work, and we are proud to complete local projects which make a difference to our community.
A current example is our work on the Bath Abbey Footprint Project where the focus is repair and conservation work to the historic floor, revealing large parts of it for the first time in 150 years. The project also includes use of the energy from the hot spring water from the neighbouring Roman Baths, as an innovative sustainable heating source. In addition to this we are creating a purpose-built rehearsal room for choirs and visiting musicians, as well as new spaces and facilities that will enable the Abbey to be more accessible and to serve the city, its community and visitors better. A new Discovery Centre will tell the fascinating story of the Abbey’s history.
An exciting link to this Bath Abbey project, and adjacent to it, is our Archway Project, a state-of-the-art Roman Baths Learning Centre and World Heritage Visitor Centre. This scheme will bring back to life an important group of buildings which have, until now, been sadly overlooked and unveil parts of the Roman Baths that have never before been open to regular public access, extending knowledge and understanding of the World Heritage Site to the community and visitors alike.
Architects for Placemaking
We consider that conservation and design are inseparable and that the re-use of buildings is an integral part of creating sustainable architecture.
Our most recently completed building in neighbouring city Bristol is the refurbishment of a 1960s former administration building called Senate House. The building now houses a new welcome point and information hub for the University of Bristol with key student-facing functions in the heart of the campus district. As well as offering a welcome and home to students throughout their time at the university, a new SU café bar is also open to the public, creating a social surround for students and the community.
Architects for Innovation
Continuing our work with University of Bristol we are developing the new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, the most significant development in the recent history of the University.
Located between Temple Meads Station and the Floating Harbour, the site is prominent in Bristol’s geography and arrival experience to the city. The campus will have a clear focus on digital, business and social innovation. It will be a thriving ecosystem that will bring together a critical mass of world-class academic, industrial and entrepreneurial expertise to innovate at scale and shape the skills we need for the future.
Environmental, economic and social sustainability is at the heart of the campus development. Proposals include an energy centre which recycles heat from computers, solar energy, water efficiency, and rainwater harvesting. Demolition spoil will be reused to raise the site out of the flood zone.
As a practice we are excited to continue our pioneering work in the region and look forward to igniting new collaborations.
For further information about our practice go to fcbstudios.com
All images © FCBStudios
