Brabazon Central

Name: One Darnley Road
Price range: $

Bristol, UK

Services

Sectors

People

FAD AHR 032 XX XX RP A 08700 P02 Design and Access Statement

project overview

A new gateway to North Bristol

This vibrant, new grade A office building will sit at the heart of Brabazon, Bristol’s newest city neighbourhood. It will seamlessly bring together transport, workplaces and public spaces to create a place that connects people, integrating a welcoming new ground floor station hall, cafe and seven floors of office space.

In response to a growing need for more commercial buildings in the city, the eight-storey building is set to become both a gateway to the community and a hub of movement and exchange - all underpinned by ambitious environmental credentials.

At its core, the design reflects our client’s ambition to make arriving at Brabazon an experience. Whether commuting, working or travelling to Bristol’s planned new Arena, the building is designed to welcome, connect and inspire.

masterplan

The first major commercial building at Brabazon

The building and station form part of the wider masterplan for Brabazon developed by YTL Developments which will support up to 30,000 jobs across high-value sectors such as advanced manufacturing, technology and life sciences. Alongside thousands of new homes, public parks and sustainable transport connections, this landmark workspace will play a central role in creating a dynamic, mixed use neighbourhood that drives economic growth and fosters a new business community in the region.

project aims

Designing with purpose and people in mind

The brief for the project was ambitious and clear. Our task was to design a building that would:

Integrate seamlessly with the new station at Brabazon and Station Square, providing clear, accessible routes for commuters and visitors
Create a modern, flexible office space that supports collaboration, wellbeing and productivity
Provide active ground floor uses, including cafe and retail spaces, to bring Station Square to life as a social space
Design for people first, with clear wayfinding, inclusive access and a welcoming public realm
Set new benchmarks for sustainability and wellbeing, in line with the wider Brabazon masterplan vision

Ultimately, the aim was to deliver a building that balanced functionality with human experience - a place that feels open, engaging and rooted in its surroundings.

The first permanent office building at Brabazon makes a bold statement, setting a new standard for sustainable design that aligns with the environmental goals of a modern day business.
The thoughtfully designed ground floor seamlessly blends the private office space with the station entrance, publicly accessible cafe and vibrant public square. Offering cutting-edge amenities, rail facilities and an inspiring workplace environment - the new building will provide businesses everything they need to attract the next generation of talent to Bristol.”

Adam Spall

Regional Director, Bristol

design concept

A building designed to connect

Positioned between Station Square and the new railway station platforms, the new office building at Brabazon is designed as a key connector - bridging movement, public realm and place. To the west a generous double-height station ticket hall and office reception welcomes people in from the public square, while an active cafe frontage spills out at ground level, encouraging social interaction. To the south, the building presents a clear and welcoming entrance for passengers arriving by train.

Upper floors provide flexible office accommodation that are focused on occupant wellbeing – staircases and lift lobbies are flooded with natural daylight while inset balconies to the south and west integrate drought tolerant planting that provide connections to nature from every floor of the building.

Occupying the full extents of a square site that is bordered by the station to the south and new public square to the west – the new building takes the form of a robust masonry cube with feature black cladding which pushes out towards the square to create a landmark destination for those travelling to and from the new station.

Sustainable features include deep window reveals and solar shading that is supported on a red steel exoskeleton. A landscaped cafe terrace sits within the building’s open colonnade, offering tenants a place to pause, recharge and connect with nature. This biophilic approach is echoed throughout the design, with planted balconies on every level, ecological buffers to the train lines and high levels of natural light all contributing to a healthier, more uplifting workplace experience.

sustainability

Setting new standards for sustainability and wellbeing

Every design decision we made was driven by a commitment to create a building that not only meets, but exceeds, today’s environmental standards while making a meaningful contribution to the future of the neighbourhood.

Reflecting the depth and breadth of our sustainable design approach, the building is targeting an ambitious suite of industry-leading certifications, including an EPC A Rating, BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS 5 Stars, WiredScore Platinum, SmartScore Gold and WELL Enabled accreditation.

Passive design measures, such as horizontal solar shading, high-performance glazing and careful facade orientation, help to reduce heat gain while maximising natural light. We have embraced green infrastructure wherever possible, incorporating biophilic design features like planter balconies and ecological buffers to enhance biodiversity and improve wellbeing for those who work in and move through the building.

A focus on active travel is another key part of our strategy, with extensive cycle storage, shower facilities and changing rooms designed to support sustainable commuting choices.

Energy efficiency is fundamental, with a low-carbon, fabric-first approach underpinning the building’s mechanical and electrical systems to minimise operational energy use.

Importantly, the integration of the office with the new station premises encourages public transport use and helps to reduce car dependency - a crucial step towards creating a truly connected, walkable and sustainable neighbourhood.

key information