A milestone month – April 2025

Posted on by Emily

April 2025 marked a significant milestone at the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus (TQEC). It has now been two years since construction began on the main building and, reflecting on that time, we have made remarkable progress.

An aerial image of a large glass-clad building
The main academic building, April 2025

With the structure and external cladding of the striking 38,000m2 building complete, it is fantastic to see it developing so quickly.  This new building will be transformative for the University and city, providing a flexible and inclusive shared space to learn and discover.

Over the past two years the surrounding campus has also continued to come to life. The Bristol Dental School and TQ Coal Sheds on Avon Street are fully operational, bringing innovative facilities for education, research and skills development to the region. Nearby, OMX, the new incubator in partnership with Science Creates, is due to open this year and will add to our impressive portfolio of innovation services in the area.

The development of TQEC is also having far-reaching impacts across the city, generating opportunities for us to work with more partners and integrating with local communities and industries. In South Bristol, the fit-out of the new micro-campus is progressing well and will be ready to open soon, connecting with the Barton Hill Micro-campus, which will celebrate its five-year anniversary later this year.

This excellent progress is testament to the outstanding effort and dedication of so many teams across – and beyond – the University, working together to keep us on track for opening in September 2026.

Professor Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost

Highlights from TQEC Programme Director

Three people wearing high-vis vests and hard hats filming at a building site.
Filming at TQEC, 9 April 2025.

This month, we captured the first shots for a video tour of our new building. Hosted by Head of Campus Planning, Rob Gregory, the tour will give viewers a snapshot of the main spaces, helping staff become familiar with their new working location and promoting the campus to existing and potential partners, visitors and students. We’re now working through the edit and look forward to sharing the film with you soon!

Over at The Sheds It was great to see the pioneering research facilities in action. Some of the TQ Team went along to help with testing the innovative monitoring devices in the Smart Cinema in April. Brainwaves, heart rates and more were monitored while listening to different genres of music, from the Dune soundtrack to Beyonce. Coming up in May, participants can take part in a similar session as part of the ‘Flow’ project with Real World Studios and Adrian Utley from the band Portishead. Find out more from MyWorld.

Charting Change with local communities

April has been a busy month for the Charting Change public art commission. Led by Ellie Shipman and supported by Programme Artist Jack Stiling, a series of events and workshops have seen local communities and students engaging with the public art programme and TQEC development. Ellie is developing a permanent textile artwork consisting of woven panels which will be informed by the conversations, research and workshops throughout the commission and will be installed in the Story Exchange, a public space in the main building.

A group of people creating small sculptures around a table with miniature bricks. There is bunting hanging from the ceiling and a colourful mural in the background.
Girls Build Amazing Things workshop, 15 April 2025.

The regular Little Library at the Barton Hill Micro-campus was taken over by Charting Change on 15 April, hosting ‘Girls Build Amazing Things’. This interactive workshop invited local children and their families to explore how women and girls build, engineer and shape the world around us through building their own mini sculptures out of miniature bricks and looking at a range of reading materials about influential women in the industry. The University’s Senior Architect, Claire White-Sharman, also came along to support the activities and talk about her career.

Later in April, local Somali elders’ group Ayeeyo and Awoowo were invited to visit Dash and Miller and Bristol Weaving Mill with Ellie to exchange learning around weaving techniques and see the looms which will weave the public artwork. They also visited our Botanic Garden to explore some of the plants growing there that are used in weaving processes.

Finally, Ellie gave a talk about the role of public art in regeneration to local A-Level Geography students who are studying the regeneration and sustainability of Temple Quarter as part of their curriculum. This was delivered in partnership with the School of Education, and the artists will be inviting more students to get involved with the commission over the Summer term.

This range of activities represents the diverse stories that are being explored as part of this commission, and we can’t wait to see how this feeds into the final artwork. Follow along with the public art programme on the University’s Public Art Instagram account: @bristol_uni_publicart

Creating space for the innovators of tomorrow

The world and workplace are constantly evolving. TQEC will respond by ensuring students are equipped with the interdisciplinary skills, strong networks and real-world experiences to succeed once they graduate. Through closer links with industry, we’re providing a dynamic space where students can learn from industry expertise, and businesses have the opportunity to work with our talented students.

A person standing in the middle of a circle addressing a crowd of people
Dr Daniella Jenkins speaks at the Innovation Showcase, 8 April 2025

On 8 April, the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CfIE) held the Innovation Showcase at the Watershed. The showcase provided a platform for final-year students to present their final projects among entrepreneurs and investors. Seven amazing student startups also won a share of a £72,000 funding pot for their projects in the Runway Awards.

Throughout the day, students demonstrated their ability to tackle challenges comprehensively, translating what they learn from teaching into practical applications. From social inclusion and sustainability to wellbeing and emerging technologies, the students showcased a diverse array of innovations, with each project, pitch and talk reflecting the power of working across disciplines.

The new campus will continue to build on this challenge-led learning model and we’re looking forward to TQEC becoming the venue for more events like this soon!

Foresight Live begins

Bristol Innovations, the University of Bristol’s catalyst for innovation, will be based in the main building on our new campus when it opens in 2026. But the Bristol Innovations team are already bringing business leaders, innovators, investors and researchers together to explore the big questions in emerging technologies and what that means for us as a society.

People sitting either side of a screen with 'The Convergence of Criticial Technologies in Quantum' written on it and a crowd of seated people watching
The Convergence of Critical Technologies in Quantum, 3 April 2025

A new live event series has launched as part of the digital publication, Foresight. The first event in ‘The Convergence of Critical Technologies’ was focused on quantum tech and took place on 3 April. It hosted leaders from BT and local spinout KETS Quantum Security, who have recently made headlines with their design of a commercially viable system to protect telecommunications from quantum computer hackers. Together with academics and business leaders, they discussed the challenges and opportunities driving innovation in quantum, exploring real-world applications, emerging trends and pathways to collaboration.

Read a summary of the discussion or watch the full recording.

The event took place in the new Bristol Innovations Zone at Engine Shed, which will also be used to preview the types of activities Bristol Innovations will be running in TQEC. It’s also the venue for the next event in the series, The Convergence of Critical Technologies in AI and Telecoms on 12 June.

Campus development

With two years since construction began, the programme remains on schedule. There are over 500 people currently on site per day and over 800,000 person hours have been worked to date.

On the roof, steelwork has been installed to house over 750 solar panels, which will provide an annual yield of c320,000 kWh, enough to power the equivalent of 120 homes. Installation of roof level air handling units, extract fans, ductwork, pipe work and electrical containment is progressing well. The green roof has also commenced, which will provide natural habitats for wildlife and increased biodiversity.

Internally, the 28,000m2 of raised access flooring (over 75,000 floor tiles) is underway. Wall construction, plastering, and decorations are continuing to all floor levels and the main incoming high-voltage power from the National Grid is now live.

External landscaping works are progressing with external retaining walls being completed following the removal of the first two tower cranes.

University of Bristol students have also visited the site this month as part of the Industrial Mentoring Scheme.

Wild Spaces – March 2025

Posted on by Emily

This month, we have an exciting public art announcement, an update from the TQ Research Hub and look ahead to the potential of future technologies.

We have been working closely with Bristol City Council, Homes England, Network Rail and the West of England Combined Authority for a number of years to drive forward the regeneration of Bristol Temple Quarter.

An aerial view of a building in construction next to a railway line.
An aerial view of the main building, 28 February 2025.

At the end of February, I attended an event to mark the partners’ new formal organisation as Bristol Temple Quarter LLP and the search for a development partner to help deliver the extensive regeneration, stretching across 130 hectares of Bristol. With our new campus at its heart, we will continue to work in partnership with Bristol Temple Quarter LLP to create a collaborative, innovative space and generate the skills and opportunities the region needs to meet the challenges of our rapidly changing world.

This month, two funding boosts have been awarded to projects linked to our quantum initiatives, demonstrating major votes of confidence for our contribution to pioneering work in this area and our role in supporting the UK’s ambition to have the world’s most advanced quantum network at scale by 2035. Two projects will be supported by a share of £12m funding boost from Innovate UK, and a further £4m has been raised by Zero Point Motion – a current member of the Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre (QTIC). Dedicated quantum facilities at TQEC will enhance our position at the forefront of the quantum revolution.

I’m very happy to share that Room 13 Hareclive will be our lead artists for the Wild Spaces public art commission. The public art programme is a vital part of the development of TQEC and mirrors our ambitions for the campus to generate new opportunities for collaboration and strengthen our relationships with local organisations and communities. Public art will spark new conversations and contribute to the design of the campus being an inclusive, inspiring place to conduct our world-leading teaching, research and innovation.

Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Senior Responsible Owner for the Temple Quarter Programme

Wild Spaces artists announced

A blue sofa in front of children's artwork on a wall.
Room 13’s artist studio.

We’re delighted to announce we have appointed Room 13 Hareclive to Wild Spaces – our third and final public art commission for TQEC.

Room 13 Hareclive is an independent artists’ studio co-run by children, from Hareclive Primary School in Hartcliffe, South Bristol. They will lead the 18-month commission which will explore the natural landscapes surrounding the new campus.

Room 13 Hareclive operates with an innovative management model, run by a committee of pupils from years 5 and 6. They hold regular management meetings and each member has a role within the studio. As one of the first Room 13 studios globally, it has become a respected and emulated model internationally.

10-year-old Honey, Co-Chairperson and Shop Manager at Room 13 Hareclive, said: “This project makes us feel special because children don’t usually get chosen for opportunities like this… I feel good about this project because we can make the river interesting – and it might prevent people from throwing things in the river.”

Read the full news story

The appointment closely follows last month’s announcement of our new micro-campus, opening soon in the Gatehouse Centre in Hartcliffe, and is another fantastic opportunity to strengthen our relationships with local communities in the development of TQEC.

‘Action’ at the TQ Research Hub

Bristol Digital Futures Institute (BDFI) has recently released a new film showcasing the TQ Research Hub and the innovative, interdisciplinary work into digital and creative technologies taking place there.

Earlier this month, members of MyWorld’s team ventured away from their new home in the TQ Research Hub to attend SXSW. This annual event in Texas brings together global professionals within the creative industries and provided an opportunity to highlight the West of England region’s strengths in creative technology and innovation on a global stage.

Back in Bristol, Lux Aeterna VFX are shooting their experimental sci-fi film, RENO, in the Experimental Studio. As an Experimental Production, RENO will push the boundaries of filmmaking and visual effects through hands-on exploration. The project will explore how emerging technologies can be integrated into filmmaking practically, creatively, and ethically using a blend of traditional VFX (visual effects) and in-camera VFX. Find out more about Lux Aeterna’s work with emerging technologies.

The final sessions of the Virtual Production Skills Bootcamps also took place in March, with two ‘Meet the Employers’ sessions delivered to equip learners with the confidence and insights they need to step into the industry. The WECA-funded Bootcamps have now successfully wrapped with some fantastic feedback from participants.

Connected Futures Festival

On 26 March, the Connected Futures Festival came to Bristol, showcasing groundbreaking work in advanced connectivity through a packed schedule of expert talks and public demonstrations.

Luma, a 9m long robotic snail

The event was led by the Smart Internet Lab, along with their flagship projects JOINER and REASON. Smart Internet Lab will be one of TQEC’s future residents, bringing their renowned expertise alongside industry partners and academics who are actively influencing policy and practice, to find solutions to the complexities and challenges of our digital world.

Advanced connectivity is crucial for the future of communication and will impact our daily lives in countless ways. The public demonstrations at the event showed some of the practical applications of new research in this critical area. These included remote dental inspections using a haptic controller in Bristol to operate a robotic arm in Glasgow, and a 9-metre-long robotic snail connected to a wireless network to demonstrate the impact of network speeds on real-world movements. While these concepts may seem futuristic, today’s technology is bringing future telecoms into the present.

Sir Chris Bryant, Minister of State for Data Protection and Telecoms, spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of connectivity in the UK’s strategy to become a global leader in technology. Professor Ian Bond, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Science and Engineering here at the University, demonstrated how Bristol and TQEC can play a major role in this strategy, describing the new campus as a ‘powerful combination’ of business and technology which will enable us to accelerate academic entrepreneurship and do even more than we are now in this field.

Campus development

Construction remains on schedule, with a current workforce of over 500 personnel on site daily and the equivalent of over 750,000 person-hours having been worked on site so far.

The building is almost watertight, with the rooflight installations being the final element to be completed. Roof insulation and paving finishes have been applied to over half of the roof and roof level plant equipment, including five ten-tonne cooling units, plant room modules and air handling units, has been delivered.

Internally, partition wall construction is progressing on all levels, along with plastering and decorating. Glazed partitioning, joinery and raised access floor installation have also begun. Mechanical and electrical services continue to make good progress, with wiring underway on levels 1 and 2.

External landscaping works have now commenced and the first of the three tower cranes has been dismantled, followed by the second in April and the final tower in May.

Sir Robert McAlpine has recently conducted public site tours as part of the Construction Industry Training Board’s ‘Open Doors’ programme and for the Forum for the Built Environment. We have also facilitated school visits as part of the ‘Design, Engineer, Construct’ programme in partnership with a local school, and have provided week-long work experience placements.

Opening doors in new locations – February 2025

Posted on by Emily

Read on for the latest news from the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, February 2025.

It was excellent to see the TQ Research Hub hosting a series of free Virtual Production Skills Bootcamps recently. Thanks to funding from the West of England Combined Authority, the Skills Bootcamps have been developed through the University of Bristol’s MyWorld project. Working in partnership with Gritty Talent, MARS Academy, Sony, and Gold Unreal, these bootcamps were designed to address regional skills gaps in the creative industries and have equipped 56 people with vital training in the new medium of virtual production.

A person operating a film camera in a dark studio.
MyWorld’s Virtual Production Skills Bootcamps.

The University’s significant economic contribution to the region was demonstrated in a new report by Oxford Economics published earlier in February. The report revealed that the University contributed over £1 billion and 17,000 jobs to the regional economy in 2022/23. With the expansion offered by the opening of our new campus, these figures are expected to rise, bringing even greater benefits to the region.

This month, we were also pleased to share that we are developing an innovative new micro-qualification in partnership with Hartcliffe and Withywood Ventures. This will be delivered in our new micro-campus at the Gatehouse Centre in Hartcliffe, supported by a shared funding award from the Office for Students.

TQEC enables us to open the University’s doors in new locations and work with a broader range of partners. It has been designed so that a wide range of communities can be part of the University and will encourage collaboration in the region. We’re working with partners today to determine how best to operate the shared spaces in our new campus once it opens in 2026, enhancing opportunities to drive meaningful change.

Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Senior Responsible Owner for the Temple Quarter Programme

New Hartcliffe Micro-campus

We’re really pleased to share the news this month of our new partnership with Hartcliffe and Withywood Ventures (HWV). Boosted by a shared funding award of £178,000 from the Office for Student’s Equality in Higher Education Innovation Fund, we will co-create a micro-qualification which will be delivered in a new micro-campus in the Gatehouse Centre, run by HWV.

We will be developing this innovative new programme with employers, local communities, further education colleges, and the adult learners themselves, supporting our ambitions to invite a broader range of partners and communities to be a part of the University.

Professor Tom Sperlinger, Academic Lead for Engagement for TQEC, is leading this initiative. By taking the first steps to open this new facility in Hartcliffe, Tom hopes that it conveys the simple message to local people that ‘This is your University. Come and help us shape what the University is, and who it is for, in your community.’

The new Hartcliffe Micro-campus adds to our existing Barton Hill Micro-campus, which has been successfully operating since 2020. The two micro-campuses will form part of a network of civic spaces linked to the new campus. Dedicated civic spaces in TQEC include the Bristol Rooms, a signature space for staff and students to work with partners of all kinds on shared challenges, and the Story Exchange, a round space for conversations between people with different backgrounds and forms of expertise.

3 people standing outside a community centre called The Gatehouse
L-R Hannah Tweddell – Hartcliffe Micro-campus Manager, Lisa Mundy – HWV, Tom Sperlinger – Academic Lead for Engagement at TQEC

Campus development

The installation of the main facade glazing and cladding panels is complete and the installation of the atrium rooflight glazing is progressing well. The site has been home to 3 tower cranes since the end of 2023 which have aided the swift completion of the reinforced frame of the building. The first of these is due to be dismantled in March, followed by the second in April, and the final tower in May.

Sir Robert McAlpine and the development project continue with community engagement and social value activities. To date, we have supported:

  • 30 on-site apprenticeships
  • Over 30 jobs created for new entrants to construction from Bristol
  • 35 events undertaken with local education providers, including school visits at Oasis Academy, Fishponds Academy, and IKB Academy
  • 25 work experience placements on-site
  • Successful launch of Bristol’s first ‘Design, Engineer Construct!’ learning programme with IKB Academy
A large building with glass facade in construction with 3 tower cranes around it.
The main building at TQEC, February 2025.

News from Bristol Temple Quarter

Our new campus sits at the heart of one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects. Bristol Temple Quarter is set to be a thriving new city district; a well-connected neighbourhood with new housing and a range of services that will make it a great place to live, work, learn and visit.

At the end of January, detailed plans for a new transport hub at Bristol Temple Meads station were unveiled. Plans for the new transport hub, called the “Southern Gateway”, propose the creation of new pedestrian access into Temple Meads station, a new cycle hub, and a new multi-storey car park. The Southern Gateway will connect with existing and emerging walking and cycling routes, including those surrounding our new campus, improving sustainable travel access in the area.

Bristol Temple Quarter LLP is the organisation behind the emerging plans for the area and has recently announced it is seeking a Private Sector Partner to enable the transformation of Bristol Temple Quarter. It’s exciting to see the plans that are taking shape in the area and for our University to be a part of this transformation for the city.

Keep up to date with news and progress on the Bristol Temple Quarter website.

A map of Bristol Temple Quarter
Bristol Temple Quarter map

Transforming Temple Quarter – January 2025

Posted on by Emily

Welcome to the first Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus (TQEC) update of the new year. With the start of 2025, we can officially say our new campus is set to fully open next year!

It’s fantastic to see the campus becoming a hive of activity. The TQ Research Hub is now fully open with a number of projects live, making use of the new, unique facilities to conduct collaborative research and provide skills training in pioneering creative technologies. With MyWorld now settled into the TQ Research Hub, the start of the year has brought some exciting collaborations, including with music venue, St George’s. Art and technology collided in fascinating ‘research concerts’, demonstrating how interdisciplinary working generates innovative new approaches.

Construction of the main building remains on schedule and the exterior is now nearing completion. The installation of the windows has transformed the site into a striking building and it’s excellent to see the effect our new campus is having on the wider area. With new businesses and public and private sector organisations moving in and further developments on the horizon, it’s exciting to be at the heart of this once-in-a-generation opportunity for Bristol.

An aerial image of a large building site next to a train station in a city.
An aerial view of the main building, January 2025. Credit Rosscam.

Earlier in January, the UK government revealed a plan for advancing the nation’s capabilities in Artificial Intelligence. With our new Isambard-AI supercomputer set to complete this year at the National Composites Centre and our major new campus opening in Temple Quarter to follow close behind, we are positioning ourselves in a pivotal role to help deliver on these goals and solve today’s biggest societal challenges.

Foreword by Professor Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost

MyWorld Virtual Production Bootcamps in full swing

December saw the launch of two highly anticipated Virtual Production (VP) Skills Bootcamps. VP skills are in high demand in the screen sector as this new technology is rapidly reinventing the way media content is created. These bootcamps are providing learners with access to MyWorld’s state-of the-art new facilities in the TQ Research Hub, responding to the evolving needs of industry and building on the existing creative strengths in the West of England region.

Funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA) and hosted by the University of Bristol, these bootcamps are delivered in partnership with MyWorld, MARS Academy, Gritty Talent, Unreal Engine trainer Rob Brooks, and Sony trainer Paul Cameron. The initiative aims to equip participants with the tools, techniques, and confidence to excel in the rapidly advancing field of VP. Combining technical training with mentoring and career development sessions, the programme offers a comprehensive learning experience for aspiring VP professionals.

January marked an exciting milestone in the programme, as learners on the Unreal course stepped into the Virtual Production Studio at the TQ Research Hub, putting their newly acquired knowledge to the test. Guided by the team at MARS Academy, participants applied what they had created in training on Unreal Engine and integrated their virtual environments with live performances from local trained actors to produce dynamic scenes. These scenes were then showcased in the state-of-the-art ‘Smart Cinema’ next door.

A dark room with a large cinema style screen and people standing around camera equipment.
MyWorld’s Virtual Production Studio

Learners on the Sony course will be getting the same opportunity to work practically on VP Volume and put all their training to practise in the coming weeks.

Bristol’s world of tech

This month, we were highlighted as a key player in the city’s thriving tech scene in the Bristol Magazine’s feature, Deep thinkers: Bristol’s world of tech. Bristol and the region’s reputation for deep tech, digital and creative technologies is growing fast. Our University and TQEC are sitting right at the heart of that groundbreaking movement.

Bristol Innovations’ portfolio of innovation services, including Engine Shed, SETsquared Bristol and  Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre (QTIC) were recognised as ‘the perfect combination of how different organisations are collaborating to achieve technological breakthroughs.’ Bristol Innovations will be resident in the main building at TQEC once it opens, and are continuing to build and grow their offering to create a supportive, collaborative ecosystem for translating research into scalable commercial opportunities.

MyWorld’s pioneering work into creative technologies was also featured, focusing on the centre’s strengths through partnerships and responding to the region’s thriving creative economy. MyWorld’s new home at the Temple Quarter Research Hub alongside Bristol Digital Futures Institute, was also dubbed the ‘Temple of Tech’!

Finally, our pioneering partner, Science Creates, is a major driver for the region’s successes in deep tech. OMX, the third incubator we have developed with Science Creates, is set to open this year in Temple Quarter. This major, £8.5m incubator will support spin-out companies that have the potential to provide a major economic boost to the region. Congratulations are also in order for Science Creates founder and Bristol alum, Harry Destecroix, who has been recognised in HM the King’s New Years Honours 2025 for services to Science!

Elsewhere at the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus

Hundreds of people are working daily on site, keeping the construction on schedule to open in 2026. The installation of the glazing panels is nearing completion, and partition walls are beginning to go up. We continue to support the regional economy with off-site manufacturing of the roof lights in Gloucester, and the first of these units have been installed this month.

The public art programme at TQEC is well underway, with 2 of 3 commissions now appointed to. Read a round up of the public art story so far to discover what’s been happening since the project began last year and what’s to come as we approach 2026.

We’re particularly excited to announce the appointment of world-renowned artists, Wood and Harrison​, who will be creating a landmark artwork for the new campus. Bristol based, but with an international reach, John Wood and Paul Harrison’s work has been exhibited across the world, including in New York’s Times Square. John and Paul have visited the site as part of their research and development, and we can’t wait to see what unique and playful proposals they come up with.

You can follow along with the public art programme at TQEC by following the University’s public art Instagram account: @bristol_uni_publicart

A person pointing at a screen displaying a circular room and architect's drawings.
Artist, Ellie Shipman’s proposals for artwork at TQEC.

Uniting art with architecture and community at the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus

Posted on by Emily

Beyond the bricks and mortar of the new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus (TQEC), we’ve been making some exciting creative connections. Get up to speed on the inspiring public art projects that started in 2024, and take a peak behind the scenes of the exciting plans for this year, ahead of the new campus opening in 2026.

One of the ways we are welcoming local communities to the new campus is through a series of public art commissions. Through workshops, creative events and permanent artworks, our TQEC artists are helping to provide new opportunities for collaboration and community engagement, and encouraging a wider sense of involvement and play. 

‘Through Charting Change, we will spark curiosity and imagination, create a place where people feel welcomed and strengthen community ties.’
Professor Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost.

A hand-written sign saying Art Workshop Here Today All Welcome!
Workshops at the Barton Hill Micro-campus

Inviting conversation: igniting imagination

Paper materials for collages with the letters TQEC
Inviting local communities to take part

From the very start, our vision for TQEC was to focus not only on what’s happening inside the site itself, but also how it occupies the space it will exist in, how it relates to the city and landscape around it and how it references the past. 

Charting Change is a two-year commission exploring the site’s industrial heritage alongside the technological futures of the new campus. Ellie Shipman, a visual artist and the lead creative on Charting Change, has made significant strides forward in citywide engagement and inviting community discussion and dialogue.

A person in a high-vis vest and hard hat holding a camera and microphone.
Ellie visiting the TQEC site

Ellie has been the Artist-in-Residence at the Barton Hill Micro-campus, inviting people in on a crisp and cold day, to grab a cuppa and do a paper weaving or sew a banner. Ellie has also led a series of events and workshops that have uncovered the history of notable local women changing industry over the years.   

‘I’m thrilled to be working on this project. I’m interested in urban regeneration and how communities connect with place and space.’
Ellie Shipman, Lead Artist for the Charting Change commission

Each creative event, the conversations they spark and the inspiration they generate will contribute to Ellie’s design of a series of hand-woven fabric panels, which will hang in The Story Exchange, a community meeting space in the new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus.

A person pointing at a screen showing a circular seating area and architect's drawings
Ellie’s proposals for the artwork in the Story Exchange

To keep up with the progress of this project, follow the University of Bristol’s public art Instagram account. 

Building futures: reflecting history

Laying the foundations for our new campus in an area with complex and fascinating history, means it’s important that we actively recognise major moments of industrial heritage while we build a future for tomorrow. As the bright feature staircases are installed and the windows are fitted in the new building, our focus is as much on opening up new community conversations, reflecting on change, reviving heritage and celebrating the people of the local area.

A fabric panel with blue patterns and writing on
A fabric panel on display at the Work in Progress exhibition, November 2024

Towards the end of 2024, Ellie Shipman, and Charting Change programme artist, Creative Designer, Inventor and all round ‘Maker of Things’, Jack Stiling created ‘Work in Progress’, a gallery-based exhibition which showcased photography, film and sculptural installations, including original bobbins from the cotton factory.

As well as local weavers contributing to the fabric panels for The Story Exchange, local people have been invited to share their own stories. The South West’s only cotton mill opened in 1838 in Barton Hill, so previous skilled workers from The Great Western Cotton factory and the Chappell Allen Corset Factory were welcomed to a coffee morning to meet, mingle and reminisce.

Ellie’s innovative ‘Not Working’ metal apron was made with waste from the construction site, to speak to the hidden labour of women who shaped the industry of East Bristol.  

An apron made of metal strips
‘Not Working’, Ellie Shipman 2024

Jack’s playable digger-arm sculpture ‘Groundwork’ is an opportunity for tactical exploration, as you can use the playful art installation to scoop real earth. 

Four people standing around a metal digger operating a pully to scoop bits of earth
Jack Stiling’s Playable Digger Sculpture, 2024

Supported by Barton Hill History Group, each piece in the exhibition responded to the industrial activity, past and present, around the site of TQEC, merging significant history with the here and now. The exhibition was well attended and the artworks provided an enjoyable backdrop for new connections and conversations. 

From Times Square to Temple Quarter  

We’re excited to announce we’ll be working with internationally-acclaimed artistic duo, Wood and Harrison, on a major new commission for the campus.  

Typically, their playful installations encourage people to congregate, explore and engage so they are an ideal match for TQEC. Their work spans from their studio in Spike Island, here in Bristol, to the Times Square in NYC, Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Tate Modern.  

Wood and Harrison will be creating a permanent physical piece for the new campus in keeping with their portfolio of artistic objects linked to urban environments, which invite a sense of play and recreation.  

What’s in store for 2025 and beyond… 

In 2025, we’ll commission the lead artist for our third and final public art project, Wild Spaces. This participatory project will find imaginative ways to create a dialogue between people and space, as well as providing a fresh creative perspective on the TQEC site’s relationship with water and natural ecologies.

We’re really excited about to see these commissions as they unfold further in the coming months. As we move closer towards opening the doors of TQEC of 2026, we’ll continue to weave creativity into the new campus, connecting with the vibrant and valued civic communities on its doorstep.

Remember, if you’d like to be kept aware of more progress around the University’s Public Art programme, you can follow the Instagram account @bristol_uni_publicart and keep an eye on our news pages.

Installing the feature staircase at TQEC: in pictures

Posted on by Emily

The Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus (TQEC) is coming to life! Since we ‘Topped Out’ in September, construction of the main building continues to progress rapidly with the installation of the glass and cladding panels to the exterior and internally, the staircases are going in.

Scroll through this news item to see photos of one of the striking feature staircases being installed in its new home.

Manufactured in the South West by Taunton Fabrications, the staircase left the factory and made its way to site, stopping off for a beautiful paint job on the way.

The construction of the main building at TQEC has been largely supported by off-site manufacturing methods, including the pre-cast concrete, glass and aluminium cladding systems and mechanical and electrical components.

By using off-site manufacturing, we’re able to save valuable person-hours on site when there are adverse weather conditions and are supporting the regional economy and workforce.

Once the staircase arrived, it was carefully lifted into position.

The site is home to 3 tower cranes, which have supported the construction of the reinforced concrete superstructure over the last year.

With over 300 people on site daily, the 38,000m2 building has risen out of the ground amazingly quickly, and we remain on time and on budget in the construction.

Specialist site teams from Taunton Fabrications and sub-contracted site fitters put in a huge effort to install the staircase. 

A huge range of skills are needed to create and install a stair structure of this scale.

Once the building opens in 2026, make sure to take a minute to reflect on all the effort put in to get you up and down the 5 floors!

After a complex and lengthy installation process, the bold feature staircase began to take shape!

Sleek, satisfying lines and a brilliant colour make this a joint feat of architecture and engineering.

Our landmark building has been designed to combine beauty with practicality, making it a vibrant and welcoming place to work, learn and visit.

Running the full height of the atrium, the staircase is now in and looking fantastic.

This is one of a number of staircases distributed around the building, with the layout designed to encourage efficient and flowing movement from one place to another.

The stairs are in addition to nine passenger lifts and one goods lift. Staff, students and partners will be able to grab a coffee from the food court, visit a winter garden, attend a lecture or simply explore the building with ease!

Photographs courtesy of Taunton Fabrications.

Find out more about the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus (TQEC).

Major milestone for University of Bristol’s new world-leading Enterprise Campus

Posted on by Emily

Work on the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus reached an important milestone on Thursday 12 September as the structure of the main building was completed.

Opening in September 2026, the project is on time and on budget, with the new campus enhancing the University of Bristol’s reputation as a global destination for world-leading inter-disciplinary research, education and innovation.

It will provide dedicated space for around 300 enterprise partners, including existing Small and Medium Sized Enterprises [SMEs] and international companies, allowing for daily interactions with students and the wider academic community, collaborating to translate world-class research into commercial opportunities.

At the heart of the campus, on the site of the former Royal Mail sorting office, a 38,000 sqm academic building will be home to the University’s Business School, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a range of Engineering programmes and digital research groups, and Bristol Innovations, the University’s catalyst for innovation.

The campus will strengthen the data science, digital innovation, creative industries, cyber and quantum technology sectors that are already flourishing in Bristol and the West of England. This includes the Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre (QTIC), which has already supported more than a third of all quantum technology companies in the UK. This will help solidify the emerging West of England quantum cluster and ensure Bristol – home to the world’s first quantum photonics chip – is at the forefront of the coming quantum revolution.

In addition, the campus will also be an inclusive hub for local communities who will be welcomed to use the facilities and open spaces. Parts of the campus have been shaped in consultation with civic and community partners as dedicated spaces for groups to work together to address local, national and global challenges. The campus will improve connectivity in the area, with a new entrance at Bristol Temple Meads train station opening directly onto University Square, and enhanced pedestrian and cycling routes.

The campus is a catalyst for the wider 135-hectare transformation of Bristol Temple Quarter, the UK’s largest regeneration project that aims to deliver 22,000 new jobs and 10,000 new homes, alongside new public and green spaces, and a £1.6 billion annual boost to the regional economy. With a refurbished Bristol Temple Meads station at its heart, the area will become a world-class gateway to Bristol and the West of England. A new eastern entrance to the station will open at the same time as the Enterprise Campus, giving direct access from the station to the campus, as well as helping to better connect the station to St Philip’s Marsh and east Bristol. The University of Bristol is working closely with the Bristol Temple Quarter partners, Bristol City Council, the West of England Combined Authority, Network Rail and Homes England, to achieve these aims.

The new academic building will accompany the University’s TQ Research Hub, which will be fully operational by the end of this year, at nearby Avon Street. Phase one of the Research Hub houses the University’s Bristol Digital Futures Institute (BDFI), who are pioneering transformative approaches to digital innovation. MyWorld, a University of Bristol-led programme for creative technologies, have now joined BDFI. And, in September last year, the University’s Dental School moved to a new purpose-designed premises on Avon Street.

The new campus – which represents a total investment of around £500 million – will be base to 4,600 students and 650 staff. In addition, private and University-managed residential accommodation is being built on Temple Island opposite, and in other nearby locations, for approximately 3,600 students.

Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said: “After many years in the planning the biggest innovation footprint ever made in our city is 1/3 of the way there. It’s great to see how much progress has been made over the last 18 months on site with the new building really taking shape before our eyes. The Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus will be a major new landmark for Bristol and a real catalyst for innovation not just for the city and region, but also nationally. It is being carefully constructed to meet the needs and nurture the aspirations of our students, staff and partners across the city and the wider region.

“It provides outstanding facilities to build on our collective strengths in research, innovation, learning and societal change. By attracting top talent, fostering cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, nurturing start-ups and entrepreneurship, and providing opportunities to work with students and develop talent pipelines, we will attract more international partners to Bristol and help to create a thriving ecosystem that drives economic growth to really compete on the global stage.”

Hector McAlpine, Executive Partner at Sir Robert McAlpine, said “Our work to date has placed this project in the best possible position to deliver this ground-breaking facility on time, ready to receive the next generation of students. In doing so, Temple Quarter has transformed, with this project acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration. We are proud to be part of this journey, delivering a legacy through educational programmes, community initiatives and funding, alongside employment opportunities during construction. This aligns with our strong social value objectives.”

Kerry McCarthy, MP for Bristol East, said: “It’s good to see University of Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus come another step closer to opening, and great that it’s due to come in on time and within budget. The regeneration of this part of the city is very exciting and will provide a real boost to investment and innovation, building on our existing strengths as a pioneering city for academic research. I also look forward to seeing the role it will play as a hub for local communities, and to further discussion about how local people will be part of Temple Quarter’s success story.”

What has happened on site since April 2023

  • Sir Robert McAlpine took possession of the site in April 2023 and a ground breaking ceremony took place the following month.
  • Since work began onsite over 34,000m3 of concrete has been poured (14 Olympic swimming pools).
  • In August 2023 554 piles were driven into the ground to create the foundations of the main building. If these were lined up end-to-end, this equates to nearly 14,000 metres of foundation.
  • Piling caps were then installed. These sit on top of the piles and form the foundation for the building superstructure.
  • By the end of November 2023, three tower cranes were erected to enable the construction of the reinforced concrete frame of the building to commence.
  • In January 2024 the final area of the concrete framework commenced. Between then and May 2024 the builders have reached Level 5 and work on the roof started in July 2024.
  • A minimum of 50 percent of supplies for the project come from within a 30-mile radius.
  • Off-site manufacturing has included cladding facade panels, mechanical and electrical components and a feature staircase. The first of the cladding panels were installed in June 2024
  • There are around 250 people regularly on site daily – 45 percent of the workforce are from Bristol. In total 76 percent are from the wider Southwest region.
  • The project is maximising the site as a learning resource and has welcomed tours of school students, University of Bristol Civil Engineering students and work placements.

MyWorld move into their unique new facilities!

Posted on by Emily

Have you seen these new state-of-the-art research facilities at the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus? 😍

The TQ Research Hub is nearing completion. Watch MyWorld move into their unique new facilities on 65 Avon Street.

 

MyWorld is an innovative creative technology research and development programme run in partnership with universities and businesses in the West of England region.

Stay up-to-date with the exciting projects MyWorld have got lined up in this new creative tech hub, some of which ‘House of the Dragon’ fans might be interested in!

Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus – one year on

Posted on by Emily

The Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus (TQEC) provides us with a robust, unique and exciting response to the needs of our students, staff, partners and society. It offers a new landscape, with fresh opportunities for partnerships, interdisciplinary research and education and civic engagement.

As the TQEC site develops, that landscape is literally taking shape: new buildings are rising, old structures are being repurposed, and the scale of activity is mounting. TQEC continues to be a catalyst for developments in the wider Bristol Temple Quarter area – one of the biggest regeneration projects in the UK.

It’s been just over a year since contracts were signed to begin work at the main site of the new campus. In that time, construction of the 38,000m2 main building has progressed rapidly, and further facilities are developing in the area. Here, we present some of the highlights over the past year.

Bricks and mortar (in truth, steel, concrete and lots of glass)

A construction site.
Progress at the main building, end of May 2024.

Construction of the main building kicked off in May 2023 with an extensive, complex programme of groundwork. Piling was completed by the end of August. The sheer scale of the work is reflected in the fact that if the 554 piles now in place were lined up end-to-end, they would stretch nearly 14,000 metres – roughly as high as the Andes sitting on top of the Himalayas!

The site currently hosts three tower cranes, which are used to construct the reinforced concrete frame as the building rises out of the ground throughout 2024. By the end of May 2024, work on the frame had reached the fifth storey.

Off site, prefabrication of components such as glass/aluminium cladding, mechanical and electrical modules and the feature staircase are all making great progress. This approach enables us to support apprenticeships and saves unproductive work when conditions are difficult on site.

Earlier in May, Craig Nowell, TQEC Development Programme Director, summarised the development and progress so far:

Making the connection: the Eastern Entrance

Network Rail began work on the new Eastern Entrance at Bristol Temple Meads Station in October 2023. This vital piece of infrastructure will improve connectivity between the east of Bristol and the city centre via the campus, helping to achieve our vision for a porous, bustling place. It will also provide convenient and sustainable travel options for our staff and students to come to work and study.

The steel frame shell of the building has now been fully installed and it’s on track to open along with our new development in 2026. Read more about recent progress on the Eastern Entrance.

A local focus

TQEC is a major focal point for our civic ambitions, with plans for a rich array of new facilities, programmes, resources and events that will bring tangible benefits for both the University and the city.

Bristol Dental School’s new facilities – a vibrant and welcoming space providing vital services.

Bristol Dental School moved to Avon Street in September 2023, a short walk from the site of the main campus development. ITV’s recent report spotlighted the vital work of student dentists bringing much-needed appointments to the city and their work is a clear indicator of the positive impacts we can bring to Bristol.

“We’re now registered with the Care Quality Commission, making us the first UK higher education institution to provide clinical care directly to members of the public”, says James Tubman, Senior School Manager. “We’ve also been supporting the work of the NHS across the city by taking on over 400 patients for treatments and around 150 patient referrals from the Dental Hospital, which has helped ease their waiting lists. Our Dental Clinical Services Manager has recruited 286 children from local schools who don’t have a registered dentist to be seen and treated at the Dental School. We’ve also been working with the BrisDoc GP service, to pilot a scheme to treat homeless patients.”

An innovative ecosystem

The new campus sits at the heart of an emerging innovation district. Our new neighbours range from major companies and government offices to startups, local businesses and civic organisations. TQEC brings our state-of-the-art facilities into a thriving ecosystem for students, staff, partners and the community to co-create solutions to vital challenges that impact our society.

Over the past year, ‘The Sheds’ on Avon Street has been progressing closer to completion. This space will bring together Bristol Digital Futures Institute (BDFI) and MyWorld in unique facilities to advance digital and creative technologies in an equitable and sustainable way.

The Sheds will house world-first research equipment such as the Reality Emulator, a ‘digital twin’ facility enabling users from any sector to recreate any situation – or generate potential future scenarios – using AI and large data sets. The build of the Reality Emulator reached an exciting milestone in March 2024 with the installation of the ‘halo’, a suspended structure spanning eight metres which will supply power and network to the immersive suite, allowing digital models to be created using real-time data. The immersive suite is currently being constructed and is scheduled to join the halo in the facilities over the summer.

Also nearby are our innovation projects like Engine Shed and SETSquared, which was recently ranked in the top three startup hubs in Europe and top in the UK. The new incubator in development with Science Creates, OMX, is progressing rapidly nearby. OMX was kickstarted by a £4.75-million award from the Research England Development fund and is an exciting example of the way in which TQEC is encouraging further innovative developments in Temple Quarter.

Looking ahead

An aerial view of the city and our campus development at its heart.

Carla Hill, Senior Project Manager for Research, Enterprise and Innovation at TQEC, is among many involved in the site’s development who are looking forward to seeing it come to fruition.

“I’ve lived in Bristol for over 25 years, and it’s amazing to see part of the city coming to life with something that wasn’t here before’” Carla says. “We’ll have new ways of working together with the city, and with external partners. It’ll change the University and it’s really exciting to be part of that.”

Ahead of opening in 2026, we’ll continue to forge new and strengthening existing partnerships, seeking input and vision from an array of people and organisations to develop a truly welcoming and innovative place.

TQEC and Sustainability

Posted on by Emily

To mark World Earth Day on 22 April, we take a look at some of the ways the new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus (TQEC) will contribute to the University’s overall sustainability goals.

In 2019, the University of Bristol became the first University to declare a climate emergency. Since then, we’ve been making significant and rapid changes to our existing estate and processes, working to reduce our carbon emissions.

The Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus presents a further opportunity to show our commitment to the environment, demonstrating how we can innovate and grow responsibly and sustainably.

The main academic building – ‘CM1’

‘CM1’

The main academic building is 38,000m2 and stretches over five floors. It has been designed to achieve the industry rating BREEAM Excellent (BREEAM is the world’s leading science-based suite of validation and certification systems for a sustainable built environment).

Much of the interior of the building has been designed to be shared by students, staff and external organisations. Multipurpose spaces increase the building’s efficiency and reduce the chances of the spaces being left empty. The ambition of ‘Twilight Temple Quarter’ is to host events and activities outside of normal teaching hours for a range of people, furthering opportunities for the space to be well used. This initiative is currently in the planning stage.

An extensive public realm will surround the main building. Landscaping and tree planting plans have been carefully considered to provide a welcoming and biodiverse environment, with a central hub space to allow for activities and events. Situated on the banks of the River Avon, views of the harbourside will be seen from many angles. In the heart of the space, the University Square will link the campus to the new entrance at Bristol Temple Meads station.

Research Facilities

Living walls outside the BDFI

The Bristol Digital Futures Institute (BDFI) and MyWorld have a new home in what is currently known as ‘The Sheds’. The renovated industrial buildings on Avon Street once made up the headquarters of the Bristol Gas Company and a Coal Shed.

As a place for innovation since its inception, these buildings are now home to carbon reduction technologies and practices, known as the Sustainable Campus Testbed. This suite of net zero facilities will make the restored 200-year-old building more sustainable and deliver new research capabilities.

Find out more about these innovative facilities on the BDFI blog.

Bristol Dental School

Inside the new Dental School

The Bristol Dental School’s new purpose-built facility is a refurbished office building on Avon Street in Temple Quarter. By prioritising the reuse of an existing space, the University made a sustainable choice and significantly reduced the environmental impact of the school’s relocation. 

Much of the furniture and equipment was also reused. This includes:

  • the carpet on the 5th floor office (approximately 1500m2 of carpet tiles) from NatWest, previous tenants;
  • office desks and chairs on the 1st, 4th and 5th floor office spaces, also from NatWest;
  • second-hand lockers from Vodafone (coming from another project that the Campus Development Team were working on).

Explore the new home of the Dental School.

A connected campus

Views of the Floating Harbour Walkway

TQEC is located next to Bristol Temple Meads Station. It sits at the heart of the wider redevelopment of Bristol Temple Quarter – one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects.

Our new campus will be car-free, except for designated accessible parking. The new Eastern Entrance at Bristol Temple Meads will open directly onto the campus, and the station itself is currently undergoing significant regeneration which will improve sustainable travel options for students, staff and visitors.

Enhanced walking and cycling routes will surround the area, including via the new Floating Harbour walkway currently in development. The facilities include extensive bike storage as well as changing and drying rooms for cyclists.

Teams in Campus Division are currently working on proposals for the full transport plan. The area has multiple existing bus routes and the full scope of appropriate further services is being determined.