Kitto: company headquarters on an urban brownfield site
Introduction
The new headquarters building for the Kitto Group in Bristol provides sustainable, modern offices, meeting rooms and joinery workshop to this long standing local construction company.
Context
Station Road leading to Montpelier Railway Station is a popular pedestrian route between The Arches of Cheltenham Road and the residential streets of Montpelier. It is also home to Montpelier railway station. The road has a mix of uses, ranging from residential to light industrial, and includes Montpelier High School and the local Post Office sorting office.
Having commissioned Redland-based architects O’LearyGoss Architects to design a bespoke HQ building on the Montpelier Road site site, planning permission was granted in 2020. The building was completed in March 2021, with Kitto Construction as the main contractor.
Design
The building is finished in a traditional red brick to reflect neighbouring Montpelier High School and others in the locale. Its siting and layout were determined by the need to preserve an existing row of mature trees while creating a usable ‘builder’s yard’. As well as offices, the building includes joinery workshops. Noise breakout from these active spaces is minimised by the construction and orientation of the building.
The overlooking of the street from offices and workshops enhances the security of the public realm.
Sustainability
The building is highly insulated throughout at wall and roof level. A decision to avoid flammable insulation in the walls was taken at the outset. The construction achieved a high level of airtightness which is key to energy efficiency.The offices are heated with an air source heat pump with underfloor heating. Windows are Scandanavian timber units, clad externally with an aluminium finish.
Ecology
The building footprint is generated by the desire to retain existing mature trees by avoiding their root protection zone on the site. The development includes extensive further landscaping, including a total of 17 trees, (300 shrubs and 70 herbaceous plants. The street side linear plant bed will host columnar hornbeams trees interspersed with clematis and jasmine climbers. This planting will “green” the brick walls, increasing biodiversity by encouraging pollinators, and reducing heat gain at street level during heatwaves.
Construction by Kitto.
2022
Please call 0117 989 2661 or email mail@olearygoss.co.uk to discuss your architectural project.