I Redcliff Street was the first office tower block in Bristol, and is regarded by some as Bristol’s best building of its time. Designed as the headquarters of the Dickinson Robinson Group of paper and packaging manufacturers, it was designed by the company’s own architectural practice known and DRG Group Architects. It was completed in 1963. Lead by John Collins, the group also included Colin Beales who was responsible for the interiors. Colin was until recently a trustee of the Ken Stradling Collection and the following photographs are reproduced from his archive with permission of his family. They are part of a selection of material gathered together for an exhibition at the Ken Stradling Collection in Park Row, Bristol to celebrate the lives of Colin and his artist wife Jennifer who died last year. The furniture and fittings of the building reflect the high design standards of the project and include many classic designs of the time. Aside from Mies van der Rohe ‘Barcelona’ chairs, note also Thomas ‘Medallion’ porcelain, Whitefriars glass and David Mellor stainless steel.
Design collage for 1 Redcliff Street, Bristol. DRG Group Architects c.1960. Image courtesy of the family of Colin Beales
1 Redcliff Street, Bristol nearing completion. DRG Group Architects c.1963. Image courtesy of the family of Colin Beales
Exterior view of entrance/foyer. 1 Redcliff Street, Bristol. DRG Group Architects c.1963. Image courtesy of the family of Colin Beales
Interior staircase, 1 Redcliff Street, Bristol. DRG Group Architects c.1963. Image courtesy of the family of Colin Beales
Foyer with Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chairs, 1 Redcliff Street, Bristol. DRG Group Architects c.1963. Image courtesy of the family of Colin Beales
Restaurant, 1 Redcliff Street, Bristol. DRG Group Architects c.1963. Image courtesy of the family of Colin Beales
For more discussion of this building see Clay and Fire: Bristol’s Modernist Architecture – The Dickinson Robinson Building, Bristol.
