As the effects of climate change worsen, it becomes more and more important to conserve, restore, and refurbish instead of building new. In a world where it has become increasingly easy to tear down and build new, we need to recognise the value in reducing, reusing and recycling, even when it comes to buildings. These practices reduce environmental impact by salvaging existing structures, minimising waste and preserving resources. This approach promotes longevity, economic efficiency, and environmental responsibility, aligning with the global imperative to create a more sustainable and resilient built environment.

The decade-long transformation of Bristol Beacon, formerly known as Colston Hall, is an exemplification of how this is not just possible, but even desirable. Led by London-based architecture studio Levitt Bernstein, this ambitious endeavour, undertaken for Bristol City Council and Bristol Music Trust, showcases a commitment to conserving, restoring and refurbishing a historic Grade II listed building. The result is not just a concert hall but a cultural hub, representing a harmonious blend of sustainability, heritage preservation, and a forward-looking approach to the future of music in Bristol.

Levitt Bernstein's approach to Bristol Beacon was guided by profound respect for its historic roots. The project unfolded in two phases, with the first in 2009 introducing a new foyer building. The subsequent phase, completed in 2023, involved a meticulous restoration and upgrade of the original fabric. Despite unforeseen challenges, including hollow columns and Elizabethan wells, the architects retained the essence of the 1867 Victorian architecture, celebrating the unique Bristol Byzantine style. The result is a harmonious coexistence of the past and present.

Bristol Beacon has evolved from a traditional concert hall into a multi-functional cultural hub. The venue now comprises three main performance halls, each serving a distinct purpose. The Beacon Hall, a professional concert space, boasts a flexible and adaptable interior within the original masonry walls. Levitt Bernstein's innovative design, with timber-lined balconies and trifurcating steel columns, creates a visually striking yet acoustically superior space.

Associate Director Mark Lewis expands on the choice of material across the project. "The client’s brief for the Beacon Hall called for a distinctive design, unique to Bristol, and unlike any other concert hall. We took inspiration from the characteristic shapes, materials, and historic architecture of Bristol’s harbourside quarter—where Bristol Beacon is sited—and translated these into a distinctive visual signature for the new main concert hall. We were also inspired by the broad range of music programming including everything from classical symphonic to contemporary music of all kinds. The steel trifurcating columns and exposed lighting bridges lend industrial and technological dynamism evocative of contemporary and digital genres, whilst the natural timber elements create a perception of warmth associated with traditional instruments. Together with the new brickwork linings, these elements have been layered over the historic enclosing walls to create a strong sense of place, historic continuity, and visual identity that will be instantly recognisable whenever the hall features in any visual media," he says.

The Lantern Hall, once a versatile but underused space, has been revitalised as a second performance venue. The restoration of the Colston Street façade and the reopening of the colonnade showcase the commitment to restoring the original architectural composition. This smaller hall, designed for intimate concerts and diverse events, complements the grandeur of Beacon Hall.

The former bonded cellars beneath Beacon Hall have undergone a creative transformation into a suite of spaces for music education, practice rooms and a new cellar venue for smaller, more intimate performances. This third hall serves as an additional performance space, reflecting the adaptability and versatility of the revitalised Bristol Beacon.

“One of the most challenging aspects of the historic restoration was to ensure that the venue is able to deliver excellent acoustics for all kinds of music across the three new auditoriums, placing Bristol Beacon on the map as competing with its European counterparts. This did not only apply to the visual architectural design but also the implementation and running of the building’s services within the historic shell in a sensitive manner. Ventilation must be silent—requiring large ducts and outlets to be concealed within the constrained dimensions of the historic building. Different solutions were developed for each auditorium. In Beacon Hall, ventilation is provided from beneath the seats. In the Lantern Hall, it is ducted through the reinstated decorative corner pilasters and behind the seating. In the cellar venue, trenches were excavated below the floor to preserve the ceiling height and historic vaulted ceiling. Acoustical requirements were also a primary consideration for interior architecture. In the Beacon Hall every surface has been selected, shaped, and finished to optimise acoustical performance,” elaborates Lewis.

Bristol Beacon's rejuvenation extends beyond its programme expansion, acoustic design and architectural brilliance to incorporate public art. Collaborating with Field Arts Projects, Levitt Bernstein ensured that artists like Linda Brothwell, Libita Sibungu, Rana Begum, Giles Round, and others contributed bespoke works. These installations explore themes such as the venue's relationship with water, textiles within performance spaces and interventions on the façade, adding layers of richness to the visitor experience.

While the understanding that new buildings have a lock-in period of 50 years is commonplace, the fact that refurbished buildings often present the same opportunity for longevity is often overlooked. In this case, however, the architects make sure that the revamped Bristol Beacon is kind to its surroundings now and will continue to be kind to its environment in the many years to come.

"The project targeted BREEAM Very Good—which is a high target for a historic building on a constrained urban site. It is a retrofit project with significantly less embodied carbon than a new build equivalent. We took a fabric-first approach by insulating the new fabric and existing roofs and specifying high-performance new windows. Next, high-efficiency building services have been installed with enhanced controls to minimise energy use. The entire roof of Beacon Hall is covered with photovoltaics generating up to 127kW of carbon-free electricity, and the building’s heating is future-proofed through provision for connections to Bristol’s projected heat network scheme,” mentions Lewis.

The emphasis on sustainability is a key highlight of Bristol Beacon's transformation. Levitt Bernstein collaborated with renowned acousticians Sound Space Vision to ensure near-perfect acoustics in Beacon Hall. The flexible design allows for variable acoustics, removable seating, and advanced lighting access, making it one of the most adaptable concert halls in the country. Additionally, sound transmission between halls has been significantly reduced, offering an immersive and uninterrupted auditory experience.

Though phase one of refurbishment started later, Levitt Bernstein's involvement with Bristol Beacon dates back to 2001 when they prepared a master plan for the phased project. The completion of Phase One in 2009, with the addition of the Bridgehouse foyer building, set the stage for the more complex Phase Two. Unforeseen challenges, such as the building's deteriorated condition and budget overruns, tested the resilience of the project. Despite these challenges, Levitt Bernstein's vision remained largely unchanged.

Lewis expands, “Our vision has remained largely unchanged despite the extended realisation period. We are very grateful to commissioning and end-user clients for sticking with our original design vision and their high-quality objectives for Bristol’s new world-class concert hall. Over time, the design vision has been enhanced and complemented by the incorporation of several wonderful works of public art, where we assisted the artists with the delivery of their concepts to great effect.”

Bristol Beacon is an outstanding example of the transformative power of conservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse in the building industry. Levitt Bernstein's visionary approach, spanning over two phases, has not only revived a historic concert hall but has redefined it as a vibrant cultural hub. Bristol Beacon heavily underscores the importance of balancing heritage preservation with innovation, sustainability, and a long-term vision for the benefit of the community. It is poised to write a new chapter in Bristol's cultural legacy, inviting generations to partake in the symphony of music, art, and heritage.

Project Details

Name: Bristol Beacon
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Year of completion: 2023
Design Firm: Levitt Bernstein
Interior Design: Levitt Bernstein
Project Manager: Mace / Arcadis
QS: AECOM
Main Contractor: Wilmott Dixon
Acoustician: Sound Space Vision
Theatre Consultant: Charcoalblue
Structural Engineer: ARUP