Reimagining a 1970s icon for a Net Zero future

THE ASPIRATION
Raising the bar for modern working
The Crescent Centre, a prominent 1970s office building in central Bristol, was no longer meeting modern workplace expectations around comfort, energy performance and amenities. Commercial Estate Group wanted to transform the building into a high-quality, sustainable workspace fit for contemporary occupiers. The goal was to create flexible, future-ready offices while retaining the embodied carbon locked into the existing structure. This meant significantly upgrading the building fabric and extending its footprint – all while improving accessibility, wellbeing and user experience.

OUR RESPONSE
Engineering smart upgrades with low impact
We delivered Civil and Structural Engineering services to help unlock the full potential of the site. The project involved a double-height ground floor extension and a rooftop addition with new plant space, all delivered with minimal structural enhancement to reduce embodied carbon and overall cost.

We worked closely with architect Buckley Gray Yeoman and main contractor Kier to develop design solutions that respected the building’s urban context and conservation setting, including its proximity to heritage assets and mature trees along Temple Back and Temple Rose Street. Through detailed structural investigations, we were able to retain and repurpose much of the existing frame, saving 3,400 tonnes of carbon and achieving a 45% reduction in upfront embodied carbon compared to new-build alternatives. A newly insulated external wall system, high-performance façade and replacement windows across refurbished floors further enhanced the envelope’s efficiency.

A new two-storey façade and expanded ground-floor amenity space – including a café and external deck – elevate the user experience, while three new private roof terraces, including one with panoramic views over Temple Gardens, enhance the building’s appeal and commercial value.

Crescent also benefits from a suite of smart technologies, including a building management system integrated with tenant installations, intelligent air quality monitoring, automated lighting and 24/7 secure access control – all designed to support comfort, efficiency and connectivity. A VRF heating and cooling system supports energy-efficient climate control throughout.

THE RESULT
Modern workspace, heritage location
The completed development, re-branded as Crescent, delivers over 9,385 square metres of high-quality, flexible office space. The scheme has significantly improved the building’s energy performance, accessibility and active travel offer, with facilities including a secure, weatherproof cycle park for 164 bikes, four EV charging points and on-site repair docking. It also boasts the largest private garden in Bristol’s city centre, a gym and a fitness studio.

THE LASTING IMPACT
Sustainable, inclusive space for the future
Crescent is a leading example of sustainable reuse. Achieving BREEAM Excellent and EPC A, it is Net Zero Carbon in Operation. Total carbon emissions are offset in accordance with the UKGBC framework, delivering a low-impact, high-performance building in the heart of Bristol. Our early-stage input and low-impact design strategy helped realise the client’s vision, delivering long-term environmental and commercial value.

Find out more about our multidisciplinary approach.