Introduction
When Bristol Cathedral reached out to Avent Interiors, they were thrilled to have the opportunity to work on such an iconic part of the Bristol skyline. Bristol Cathedral, originally an abbey dedicated to St Augustine, was founded in 1140 and became a cathedral in 1542. A Grade 1 listed building, the client came to Avent Interiors in need of a refurbishment of their café area.
The original café fit out was finished in the 1960s, making it outdated and leaving it with severe accessibility issues. The main goal of the project was to refurbish the café area to solve these accessibility issues and bring it up to date with modern finishes and trends. Local bakery ‘Pinkmans’ was set to operate the fully functioning café and offer visitors a comfortable space to relax during their stay.
Client Background and Challenges
Boasting such events as contemporary music recitals, vibrant concerts and visual displays. Bristol Cathedral is much more than a place to worship. The main issue with the café was the access, which wasn’t at all suitable for the elderly or people with disabilities. The stairs that led to the main lobby area of the café were unsuitable, as well as the back entrance, which had smaller steps which still posed a problem.
Project Goals and Requirements
Along with solving the accessibility issues the café faced. Bristol Cathedral wanted an area that was modern while also staying true to the roots of the cathedral. The team selected original elements of the cathedral to feature in the café fit out. These included the stunning Grade I listed windows. The fit out was to feature a bespoke counter, a seating area with built-in storage, parquet flooring, and ground-level doors so visitors could access the courtyard.
Solutions and Implementations
Avent Interiors collaborated with an architectural company to create a stunning design for the fit out, which Bristol Cathedral approved. The team then planned the work schedule to align with the cathedral’s upcoming grand opening.
To create an accessible environment for all, the team decided to raise the floor to match the level of the rest of the building. The team raised the floor by 500 mm, eliminating the need for steps. Completed by a parquet floor. Other solutions included the removal and reinstatement of window mullions. This facilitated smaller window sections higher up the wall to allow for more bench seating. The bench seating was custom-made. It included hydraulic seat covers that lifted to reveal unique storage solutions.
The team installed sliding motorised glass doors at the back entrance of the café. This design ensured full accessibility for wheelchair users and allowed natural light to flood the café.
Results and Client Feedback
The team delivered a fully fitted-out café, ready for the client to move into. The finished product managed to strike a perfect blend of modern and traditional. Cutting-edge design mixed with classic building techniques helped the team achieve this. Pinkmans Bakery were able to move in and occupy the space almost immediately. This was due to the quality finish Avent Interiors provided for the client.
"Avent are just about to complete a major refurbishment of the Bristol Cathedral Café. The nature of the site means that the project has been complex from the beginning, but Avent have been a fantastic partner throughout. The whole team have been genuinely committed to delivering a fantastic end result. They have been flexible when problem solving issues along the way, and I have never known a building site to be kept so clean. Overall, it has been a pleasure to work with Avent."
Conclusion
To conclude, the café fit out was a complete success. It blended modern elements with classic building techniques to create an area that suited the needs of all visitors to Bristol Cathedral. If you’re looking for a specialised fit out such as a café, then don’t hesitate to get in touch for your free site survey today.
