Redevelopment of Blocks A-N

Name: One Darnley Road
Price range: $

Bristol, UK

Services

Masterplanning

Sectors

Universities

People

project overview

Reimaging a place to meet the evolving needs of students and staff

The A–N redevelopment at the University of the West of England’s (UWE) Frenchay Campus is a bold transformation designed to reshape the student experience. Spanning multiple interconnected academic and social spaces, the project reimagines ageing buildings and surrounding public realm into a contemporary, inclusive and inspiring campus environment.

Our work included the masterplan design and early stage concept work, to bring cohesion, character and clarity to the heart of the campus - ensuring that the student journey is intuitive, engaging and empowering from every arrival point.

UWE’s overarching vision for the project was clear: to create a contemporary campus that would excite, inspire, motivate and attract students, staff, employers and partners. This meant not only refurbishing Blocks A–N to modern standards, but also addressing long-standing contrasts between older and newer areas of the estate.

By eliminating the perception of a two-tier campus and bringing everything up to a consistently high quality, the redevelopment supports UWE’s wider strategy to be a place where everyone feels they belong.

project aims

A vision for a smarter, greener and more inclusive campus

Our design vision was guided by a clear set of ambitions. This included elevating the overall quality and consistency of the existing estate, while significantly improving the arrival experience, wayfinding and inclusivity across campus. A key priority was reducing carbon emissions and operational costs, alongside enhancing comfort, safety and environmental performance for all users.

The project is designed to deliver contemporary, intuitive and future-proofed spaces, with a phased approach that ensures students benefit from improvements each year. Supporting long-term sustainable estate management and decarbonisation was also central to our strategy.

Importantly, the redevelopment provides the chance to unlock wider opportunities, removing end-of-life buildings to open up the campus for new landscaping, biodiversity or future development.

This masterplan brings clarity, comfort and connection to a part of the estate that had lost its identity, while embedding sustainability and inclusivity at every level.”

Gary Overton

Director, Bristol

student experience

Spaces that support, connect and inspire

Every space will be designed around the rhythms and realities of student life - creating places to focus, collaborate, rest and connect. By delivering both functional and emotional comfort, the transformation will help students feel more supported, more confident and more at home on campus. Importantly, the benefits won’t be delayed. A phased delivery will ensure that each cohort of students, now and in the years to come, will experience meaningful improvements to their everyday university life.

decarbonisation

Sustainable transformation, not demolition

At the heart of the A–N redevelopment lies a clear commitment to decarbonisation, achieved through a strategy of retention and reinvention. Rather than opting for demolition and new build, the proposal champions a more sustainable approach - one that preserves the existing structures while enhancing their performance. This not only reduces embodied carbon but also retains the embedded energy already invested in the estate.

This strategy focuses first on retaining as much of the existing structure as possible, avoiding unnecessary emissions at the outset. Improvements to insulation, over-cladding, glazing and ventilation would significantly reduce the operational energy demand of the buildings. Alongside this, new systems would be designed to be heat-pump ready, allowing for future integration with low-carbon technologies such as a district heating network.

Smart systems play an important role too. Building Management System (BMS) integration would enable real-time monitoring and energy optimisation, ensuring the estate performs as efficiently as possible throughout the day and year.

Several blocks, including A, B, C and E, have been identified as suitable for EnerPHit-standard retrofit - the certification standard for retrofitting older buildings using Passivhaus principles, offering the potential to deliver exceptionally high levels of performance. And across the wider campus, the project supports UWE’s carbon reduction goals not just for direct emissions (Scopes 1 and 2), but for longer-term reductions in indirect emissions too.

Low-carbon by design

A fabric-first approach will be central to reducing energy demand. By upgrading insulation, improving glazing and enhancing airtightness, the thermal performance of buildings will be significantly improved, supporting internal comfort and reducing reliance on mechanical systems. Retaining and refurbishing existing structures will also avoid the high embodied carbon associated with demolition and new construction, delivering low-impact buildings that are both resourceful and resilient.

Sustainability in everyday use

But sustainability will be felt far beyond building performance. It will be embedded into the everyday rhythm of campus life - through more efficient lighting and ventilation systems, increased daylighting and materials chosen for their longevity and low environmental impact. Nature-based drainage systems and biodiversity enhancements will support a healthier microclimate, while smart building systems will ensure energy is used only when and where it’s needed.

Shaping a net zero carbon future

The redevelopment will also prepare the estate for a net-zero future, aligning with UWE’s goals around decarbonisation, clean air and circular economy principles. In doing so, it will reflect a broader cultural shift towards a campus that is not only future-ready, but actively invested in the wellbeing of the planet and the people who use it.

landscape design

A vital part of the student experience

A new landscape concept, rooted in sustainability, biodiversity and social wellbeing, was designed to create a network of green and social spaces that link key arrival points, courtyards and movement routes. These spaces will encourage rest, reflection and connection, offering students, staff and visitors opportunities to pause, meet and engage with their environment in a more meaningful way.

Biodiversity would be actively supported through dedicated ecological corridors, including the continuation of UWE’s Beeline project. These routes promote pollinators, native species and a richer natural habitat across campus. Planting schemes were devised with climate resilience in mind, using species that can adapt to future conditions while enhancing seasonal interest and visual comfort. An expanded tree canopy will offer natural shade and improve the overall outdoor experience.

Nature-based drainage solutions would be integrated to manage rainwater more sustainably, with the landscape working hard behind the scenes to support both environmental performance and campus resilience. Spaces will also be designed to accommodate outdoor events, pop-ups and informal gatherings - helping to create a vibrant, flexible environment that supports the wider rhythm of university life.

inclusive design

A benchmark for inclusive campus design

Working closely with UWE and drawing on tools like the RIBA Inclusive Design Overlay and Inclusive Design Canvas, we’ve ensured that every space is considered not only for accessibility, but for dignity, comfort and usability. By prioritising features such as step-free access, clearer navigation, neurodiverse-friendly environments, and spaces that support quiet and reflection, we’re helping UWE deliver on its EDI commitments - creating a campus where everyone feels welcomed and supported.

Team