The University of Bristol’s buildings: past, present and future
University College, Bristol, founded in 1876
An exhibition of some of the most significant buildings that have been commissioned and owned by the University since its early days as University College Bristol in the 1870s ran at the Architecture Centre, Narrow Quay, Bristol from 1 July to 31 August 2009. In addition to well-known local landmarks, less familiar, beautiful and historic buildings, interiors and gardens were revealed through text, images, models and film. The masterplan for the University precinct was also on display.
The exhibition
The University’s buildings date from the 18th century and include some of the finest Georgian architecture in Bristol, such as Clifton Hill House (1746) and Royal Fort House (1758-61). In the first half of the 20th century, thanks to the generosity of the Wills family, the University commissioned many works by Sir George Oatley, including the Wills Memorial Building (1925), the last great secular Gothic building to be constructed in this country. Many other important Bristol buildings, such as the Victoria Rooms (1838-42), and the former Baptist College (1912-19) have been given to or bought by the institution over the years.
Some of the more recent distinctive commissions include the Synthetic Chemistry Building (1999) and, most recently, the Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information (2009).
All these and more featured in the exhibition.
The masterplan for the University precinct that was adopted by Bristol City Council in July 2006 was also on display.
An accompanying film charted key events in the University’s architectural history, from King George V and Queen Mary opening the Wills Memorial Building in 1925 to Harry Patch switching on the lights to illuminate the same building in 2008.
The curator
The curator, Dr Sarah Whittingham
Architectural historian Dr Sarah Whittingham has a PhD in architectural history from the University and is the author of a guide to the Wills Memorial Building (2003), Sir George Oatley: Architect of Bristol (2009) and The University of Bristol: A History (forthcoming, 2009).
She was born in Bristol and began working for the University in 1993. At one time Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing Services, she has also worked in the Department of History of Art and the Centre for Public Engagement in the field of lifelong learning.
The Venue
The exhibition ran at the Architecture Centre, Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA from 1 July to 31 August 2009.
Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information, Tyndall Avenue
Detail from the exterior of Wills Hall of Residence, Stoke Bishop
The Holmes, Stoke Bishop
The Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Marlborough Street