The Swannery, Bristol for Wellspring Settlement with Barefoot Architects, Goss Structural and CW Duke

The Swannery, Bristol for Wellspring Settlement with Barefoot Architects, Goss Structural and CW Duke

 

When the pub on the corner of Wellspring Settlement site in Bristol’s Barton Hill closed during the pandemic, the community asked them to take it on, and to use it as an opportunity to reinstate youth services as part of their offer. Through codesign and youth engagement the Swan Pub has been transformed into a youth led offering in a striking building - The Swannery - that gives the young people of the area a place to call their own

 

 

What is the programme and use of the space? How does the project foster community, connect people and contribute to urban life?

 

The Swannery is a two storey former pub building. The ground floor has been retrofitted, remodelled and completely redeveloped as a Youth Club, which opens onto the garden of Wellspring Settlement. The first floor, with a separate entrance, is offices for the Somali Resource Centre. 
 
 The brief for the youth club was for functional, flexible, but characterful spaces that could accommodate everything from sewing and table football to video games and cooking. The young people shaped the brief, introducing a kitchen, as well as cosy space to ‘just chill’. The former bar area is divided into two with a large activity space, and a smaller chill area with sofas, a tv and a mini pooltable. The kitchen is accessed from the main room, with a large serving hatch connecting the two - enabling the development of healthy cooking habits. 
 
 The Somali Resource Centre has moved into bespoke offices. To accommodate local demand – from the Somali community and other migrants to the area - it has expanded. The new facilities contain a mix of interview rooms, offices and meeting rooms that can also be used for small-group teaching. 
 
 From the street a striking new narrative-led mural announces The Swannery boldly giving a proud identity and visibility to the new youth space. The result of wide community engagement The Mural draws themes from local history - swans, rats from local legend, strawberries from the area’s agricultural history and doves for peace! It represents hope and joy for the community.

How does the community space make a positive social and environmental contribution? 

 

The Swan pub had been a real problem for some time - there had been drug use and anti-social behaviour. Many locals would avoid walking past the pub during opening hours. There had been a long-term view from the community that Wellspring Settlement should take it on. By reinventing it as a youth-led community space, the area is safer and young people are more connected. 
 
Through attending youth clubs and participating in workshops, young people are gaining practical skills (such as first aid, cooking) and boosting their confidence and independence. Young people who started attending with informal detached engagement are now also attending structured partner programmes such as sports clubs and mental health workshops. This shows the positive impact of trust building and consistent engagement in creating wider development opportunities.
 
The retrofitted pub prepares the building for its future use, whilst avoiding releasing embodied carbon through demolition. Highly insulated fabric, open plan spaces with acoustic baffles and robust, healthy finishes made from natural materials ensure it will operate economically, sustainably and efficiently for the community. 
 
The low energy demands of the building are coupled with solar panels meaning that energy costs are minimal. In its first year of use it used just under 60kwh/m2.
 
Its striking new skin in the form of a new mural was created by Bristol artists Botanical Vandals, for a Graft Community CIC project, in collaboration with a number of diverse local groups, and sends a positive and inclusive message about the Swannery.

 

Please explain the governance of the project, such as its viability, purpose, motivation and any consultation, co-creation or community engagement undertaken in the development of the community space. 

 

In 2020 Wellspring Healthy Living Centre and Barton Hill Settlement joined to become Wellspring Settlement. They are embedded in the community, governed by a board of trustees with deep connections with the area and provide services at every stage of life. Youth services was the missing piece.
 
 Local consultation showed a community committed to its young people and a need for Youth Services. In partnership with LPW and Somali Resource Centre, funds were secured from the Youth Investment Fund and the Lottery to develop the former Swan Pub. 
 
 Wellspring Settlement went to ‘where the young people were’ to bring together a group of ‘Youth Influencers’ to codesign the facility. Their task was to shape their new youth club. They met monthly to participate in design workshops and meet with board members. They co-led the selection of the contractor at tender - finally choosing the one that engaged most with supporting the local community. The group directed decisions around the interior finishes, and consulted on and gave ideas for the mural design. 
 
 The Youth Influencers represent The Swannery often, showing visitors around and sharing their experiences with the Board, funders and other visitors. They continue to meet quarterly, shaping the programmes and building management decisions, embedding young people directly in the space’s governance. In addition the youth influencers have developed skills in communication, leadership and teamwork. Youth-led engagement has created long-lasting civic pride.
 
 Rental income from the upper floor supports ongoing youth activities, ensuring The Swannery’s financial viability.