Glassfields Park Redevelopment

Situated in the heart of Bristol, the Glassfields site spans three acres and represents a significant mixed-use redevelopment. The project, spearheaded by Royal London Asset Management, encompasses commercial office space along with a 197-room hotel. B|D Landscape Architects were commissioned to design a public green space that would bridge Bristol’s Temple Quarter and Old Market, creating an inviting environment where both office workers and visitors could unwind amidst nature.

The Glassfields site had a rich industrial past, once home to a bottle-making factory and gin distillery. However, this legacy left behind difficult soil conditions, with compacted earth, rubble, and existing underground infrastructure making the landscaping efforts more complex. Despite these challenges, B|D Landscape Architects envisioned the transformation of this brownfield site into a dynamic wildflower habitat. They designed pathways and wayfinding elements that guided visitors to a central gathering area. To enhance the ecological value and limit the importation of soil, our sister company, Wildflower Turf Ltd, UK, was brought in to supply Wildflower Sod.

In September 2021, close to 21,000 square feet of Wildflower Sod was installed across the site. The sod was laid on just under six inches of topsoil, which greatly minimized the need for additional soil imports.

The park has since flourished into a vibrant, low-maintenance urban wildlife haven, seamlessly integrating with its surroundings. This achievement earned B|D Landscape Architects a finalist nomination for “Excellence in Place Regeneration” at the 2022 Landscape Institute Awards. By incorporating native wildflower meadows and green elements, the park forges an essential connection between the city and nature, promoting biodiversity and contributing to carbon offset efforts.