“When he sang his immortal ‘Buddy, Can You Spare A Dime’, I couldn’t contain myself! Being right behind the mike, I fished a penny (dime) from my purse and threw it at his feet. He picked it up, looked me straight in the face with those beautiful eyes and said ‘Thankyou’.” Mrs P Symons of Highridge recalls a steamy, highly charged live performance at Colston Hall during World War Two. 1930s superstar, Al Bowlly, had come to the red seated arena and filled it with heady lust; those legendary acoustics helping to relieve the tension of War for one special night.

Indeed, Colston Hall holds special memories for thousands of Bristol residents and visitors, past and present, whether they’ve seen Rachmaninov, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Portishead or Will Young; the impressive list is overwhelmingly endless. However, it’s been the Hall’s architecture that’s been hitting the consciousness of the masses recently.

That’s right, its £20million refurbishment and transformation into a gold, glassy, tower with a windmill on top – aka. Phase 1 of the new Colston Hall. The fifth renovation since 1867 when stylish chaps, Foster and Wood, first grabbed Edward Colston’s Boy’s School and transformed it for the purpose we see it today; a place for people to be astounded, in awe, in love and sandwiched together in a united form of affection.

Today after its new foyer was finished in the summer, Colston Hall looks thoroughly modern, attention grabbing and undeniably impressive and I was lucky enough to put a few questions to the Hall’s Bristol-born architect, Axel Burrough regarding the thought process behind the striking, new design:

What does it mean to have designed the new Colston Hall when you are from Bristol yourself?
‘It certainly increased the interest for me and I hope my prior knowledge of Bristol helped. I visited the Colston Hall and The Little Theatre as a child with my parents and school and subsequently with friends as a teenager and young adult. I saw Otis Redding there on the famous Stax/Volt tour just before his death and will never forget it’.

Why did you choose the daring design for the Hall?
‘Our client shared our desire it shouldn’t be a shrinking violet. Many people felt that one of the Hall’s major problems was its slightly peripheral location. We felt the building therefore needed to be striking from a distance and that influenced the bold form and the choice of the golden cladding. It is designed to look like a new, independent building, rather than an extension, so as to allow the existing, beautiful Victorian facade to breathe.’

Is it eco-friendly?
‘Central to the strategy is passive energy conservation – an exposed concrete structure of high thermal mass, high levels of insulation, passive solar design to minimise overheating, a wind turbine, a solar hot water system, natural ventilation, environmentally considered building materials and the use of daylight is maximised with a sophisticated combination of artificial lighting. Also, 95% of the demolition material was recycled within the site and the copper cladding, which is 80% recoverable, is made up of at least 70% recycled material.’

How do you feel about the rest of Bristol’s architecture?
‘Part of the quality of Bristol’s architectural heritage lies in its variety. Possibly the latter half of the 20th century is badly represented for its quality and we hope the Colston Hall foyer is a positive contribution. Certainly it is a contribution to the never-ending variety of Bristol’s buildings!’

Axel Burrough, with his own Bristolian heritage, has created a new Colston Hall with considered knowledge and heart. It is ambitious, eco-friendly and complementary to the surrounding areas but best of all, offers Bristol one more truly eye-catching landmark; however, what will the public make of its striking design? We hit the streets to find out:

‘I think it looks stylish and the opening ceremony provided a great night. The capoeira performance was amazing!’
Ana Parker, 24, Marketing Executive, Totterdown

‘It looks like a massive empty area with little character. The gold plating looks cool and modern but not very necessary.’
Will Whittington, 24, Wind Analyst, Redland

‘I think it looks nice and fresh.’
Katie Kenworthy, 24, Student, Redland

‘The sheet metal finish is a nice touch and adds a sense of occasion that the building deserves. Inside is also quite dramatic, with the floating staircases and terrace bar, which makes a stark juxtaposition upon entering the period hall.’
Charles Pearce, 23, Renewable Engineer, Hotwells

‘It’s an improvement for Bristol, makes the city look more modern; however, the gold is a little bit extreme, especially in the sun!’
Roxy Chittem, 21, Dance Teacher, Clifton

‘I do like it, but I’m hoping the gold will weather, it is quite bright. Also, I am not convinced with the use of space inside the foyer. It feels a little bit like an airport.’
Karen Reynell, 40, Librarian, Clifton

‘The building really breathes now. I really like the live music space as you enter the building.’
Tom Miller, 26, Admin, City Centre

‘Quite overdesigned and pretentious.’
David Clicksdale, 24, Stokes Croft, Graphic Designer

‘It’s very different from before. I do actually think it is quite a beautiful change, it really screams out at you.’
Heidi Morris, 68, Downend, Retired

‘I think it brings the street alive, it was so dull before and now it looks thoroughly modern.’
Julie Frances, 35, Teacher, Southville

What do you think? info@suityourselfmagazine.co.uk

Long may Colston Hall continue to be one of the premier entertainment hubs of the South West and the building’s ambitions show no sign of slowing down with Director Graham Howell stating how their greater and wider bill will aim to attract more assortments of people in the future. New ghosts are to be laid.

www.colstonhall.org

Helen Martin
Photography by Ian Bradley – www.ianbradleyphotography.co.uk

To read the full interview with Axel Burrough here: SY Meets…Axel Burrough