SUPPORTING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY THROUGH DESIGN

St Barnabas Church Diocese approached Studio BAD to review their church building, located in the Knowle district near Bristol city centre. The brief was to assess how the existing church building could be reimagined to continue serving its growing congregation and the wider community.

At the start of the project, Studio BAD hosted a community engagement workshop, which was instrumental in shaping the full design brief.

The initial feasibility study explored how the existing 1938 red-brick church building could be reimagined. The striking ‘contemporary Romanesque’ building is not listed, but highly valued by the local community and seen as a vital asset to retain. However, the building faces significant challenges including a limited configuration of working space, poor accessibility and outdated facilities. Major issues, such as the roof, drainage, lighting, windows and sustainability upgrading, would all require substantial investment.

The feasibility study has looked at how the building could be reconfigured internally, to create accessible WC facilities, improved kitchen amenities, private meeting spaces, and the exploration of sustainable improvements including alternative energy sources.

The study also reimagined the entire site, exploring opportunities to better serve the local community. One key proposal involves developing much needed, self-contained social housing, set within the churches generous grounds.

The proposed redevelopment is designed to be delivered in phases, allowing improvements to progress as funding becomes available. This approach ensures the church can continue to support a wide range of community activities and services for the people of Knowle and beyond.