News / watershed
‘A place-led redevelopment’ of Watershed’s historic building
The National Lottery Heritage Fund have awarded £115,000 to Watershed for “a place-led redevelopment” of their Grade II listed building.
The ambitious ‘Wild & Generous’ project will see “a bold collaborative vision” for Watershed’s public spaces “that works in harmony with other’s plans and with local nature and sustainability strategies”.
Redevelopment will include improved access and “a more attractive frontage” for the building, originally a dockside warehouse.
Watershed CEO Clare Reddington promises to “lobby for the importance of environmental sustainability over heritage harm” – illustration: Zoe Williams
Watershed CEO Clare Reddington said: “Watershed has been innovating and showcasing Bristolian creativity since 1982, but our building is no longer fit for purpose and the public spaces around us are unloved and barren.
“The most urgent priority is the retrofit and repair of our building.
“However, our vision is of a place-led redevelopment that balances the changing needs of our organisation with adapting to the impacts of the climate crisis.
“We would like a closer relationship to the water and a project that is wild and generous to both humans and nature.
“Watershed will take a regenerative design approach to the work, striving to be non-extractive, and creating a project where humans and nature can survive, thrive and co-evolve.
“That will be really hard (and we won’t be able to achieve it on all fronts) but by centering stewardship and equity in our approach we will be able to create a multi-phase project which will ensure our building is fit for purpose for the next 100 years.”
The docks were a very different place when Watershed opened in 1982 – photo: Bristol Archives
National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Stuart McLeod added: “We are delighted to support Watershed with this important resilience project.
“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, this project will help progress plans to enhance a Grade II listed historic building in Bristol’s harbourside, alongside a programme of community engagement.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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