Redevelopment of the former Bristol

Magistrates Court (The Courtrooms)

Public Art Plan

Client: Watkin Jones Group

Author: Ginkgo Projects Ltd.
Date:
September 2104
Version: 08

Introduction
This art plan has been commissioned by Watkin Jones
Group. It has been prepared in response to the
requirement to prepare a public art strategy as set out
in application no 13/00452/F condition 14. The works
comprise of the demolition of the former Magistrates
Court and redevelopment of the site to provide a
mixed use development comprising of purpose built,
managed student residential accommodation, ground
floor commercial uses, associated car parking and
ancillary facilities. This new development will be
called The Courtrooms.

the public realm

This updated document provides a strategic overview
of the approach to commissioning opportunities
within the redevelopment to meet the emerging
aspirations of an integrated approach to working with
artists within the public realm
Artists will be commissioned to work with a focus on
key areas within the public realm.

The development comprises of a total of 348 student

bedrooms, of which 18 bedrooms will be studios. The
development is eight storeys on the Nelson Street
frontage and 10 storeys on the Rupert Street frontage.
The production of this art plan seeks to demonstrate
Watkin Jones Groups commitment to a well
resourced, considered and integrated approach to the
provision of public art within the redevelopment of
the Magistrates Court in Bristol.
The art plan seeks to build on the shared values of
Watkin Jones Group and BCC through:
Investing in the arts and artists to support the local
economy.
Creating a unique and enhanced identity for the
development.
Providing good working practices in commissioning
artists.
Extending the awareness and role of the artist in

Entrance corner from Rupert Street

Context and Location

The former Magistrates Court is located within a

central location along Rupert Street and Nelson
Street in Bristol. The site is on a well used
thoroughfare, with views through to it from many
angles.
The proposed name for this development is The
Courtrooms in connection with its past use as the
Magistrates Court.

View looking North along Nelson Street

View looking South along Nelson Street

Creative approach
In discussion with BCC officers, an opportunity has
been identified to develop a shared language for
the integration of artists work within the Nelson
St regeneration area. Watkins Jones supports a
creative approach that will link and enhance nearby
developments through a shared curatorial approach
with participatory developments.
BCC have produced a public realm strategy building
on the aspirations set out in SPD 8. It is recognised
that there is significant potential for artists to work
within the public realm to embed cultural narratives
within the wider public realm improvements.
At a recent meeting between BCC officers and
developer representatives it was agreed that an
integrated inter development approach would be
supported and that this approach would be applied to
each individual development for implementation.
Areas of interest included focusing on flow, crossing
points and movement throughout the area and
developing a commissioning language that will relate
to the high numbers of students that will populate
Nelson Street and surrounds.
There is an ambition that artists will collaborate with
landscape architects to develop a shared authorship to
the design development of key areas.
Ginkgo Projects Ltd is working on three
developments within the group. The approach that
is proposed to be taken is that one overarching
curatorial brief will be produced by Ginkgo that can
be responded to by each development.

Artists will be selected by each developer to create

commission proposals in response to the brief. It
could be that the same artist works across different
developments.
The artist(s) commissions will contribute to the
creation of a high quality, dynamic environment in
central Bristol through enhancing the identity of each
development and surrounding area and its role within
the streetscape.
The area is subject to robust use so a key
consideration will be design for longevity as well as
creating a strong visual presence. The designs will be
rooted in the surrounding context and culture of the
development so as to contribute to the narrative of
the local urban environment. This creative approach
to the public realm will develop a clear design
language for the site that will locate the building
within the city scape and help the surrounding develop
its new emerging identity as a residential area for
students.
The artist will work with materials that are chosen
for their quality and longevity. It is expected that
work will have a life span of at least 15 to 20 years.
Artwork will not include mechanical or electrical
elements that require ongoing maintenance beyond
standard care and will not constitute the lighting for
the public realm.

Programme
The artists commission will be completed prior to
beneficial occupation of the building.
Indicative programme on approval of art strategy:
Activity completed by:
Curatorial brief by: Early October 2014
Artist selection: Early November 2014
Research and concept design: December 2014
Detailed proposals: March 2015
Fabrication and installation: Summer 2015
An allocation of 65,000 is committed towards the
design, project management and delivery of the artist
commission.
Management and maintenance will be agreed as the
commission develops depending on where the work is
located.

The artist may find new opportunities arise during the

design process that may expand the role and influence
of the artist within the development.
Night view of the entrance corner from Rupert Street; a key area for
artist influence.

Procurement
This programme demonstrates serious intent
to work with artists as an integral part of the
construction and development process. Our concern
is that artists can influence and enhance the physical
structure and experience of being within the former
Magistrates Court redevelopment in a substantial and
seamless manner.
It is the intention of the programme to work across
disciplines and art forms and the approach is to
provide an infrastructure within which creativity can
flourish.
Good practice
The art programme will be developed and delivered
in line with current forms of good practice of public
art commissioning practice.
The indicators for this practice will be:

The setting up of a client led project group.

The continued use of an arts consultant
Open and clear decision-making.
The development of clear project briefs.

Artist selection
A small client led commissioning group will be
established to select artists and guide the art
commissions.
The role of the group will be to:
Agree the strategic direction of the programme.
Approve project briefs.
Approve artist selection.
Ensure cross cutting with other project activities.

The artist(s) and artwork will be selected through a

limited competition / interview process.
The primary aim of the programme will be to develop
the right art for the right location befitting this type
and form of development. Artist selection will be
undertaken by the commissioning group outlined
above.
Approval points will be established within artists
briefs and contracts for all projects, enabling the
commissioning team to monitor the progress of work.
These approval stages will be tied into artists payment
points.
We will seek BCC approval of artist shortlist and
concept design as the work progresses.
Art management
Ginkgo will continue to manage the art procurement
process. This will be in done in close dialogue with
Watkin Jones Group. The main roles of the consultant
will be:
Brief development
Integration of the art programme into Design
team activities.
Programme and allocated budget management/
advice.
Preparation of detailed project briefs.
Management of advertising of project
opportunities to artists
Artist selection
Preparation of artist contracts
Artist management
Supervision of works
Certification of works

Co-ordination with project PR team for art

programme promotion.