Unity Street | Bristol

The former Merchant Venturers College building is located in the centre of Bristol. It was built in 1865 and refurbished in 1907 following major fire damage. Following decades of use as a college, it was closed in 1992 and left vacant for 12 years until Carrot embarked on a major redevelopment and appointed Ellis & Moore as structural engineering consultants. 

The structure was completely re-engineered with the addition of mezzanines at all existing floor levels and the replacement of existing floors. A steel frame was fitted within the retained shell and composite floors used to maximise floor to ceiling heights. Mezzanine structures comprised fabricated steelwork and timber and were only 100mm thick. 

The existing auditorium was converted to house triplex structural units formed from load-bearing lightweight metal stud and manufactured timber I joists. Three new stories were added above the existing parapet level and the whole structure was engineered to provide resistance to progressive collapse.