Bristol Opening Doors
Ever wondered what it’s like to go behind-the-scenes at some of the city’s best buildings? This new website, smartphone app and trail map hold the secret, allowing visitors access to Bristol landmarks, old and new.
Bristol Opening Doors enables residents and visitors to explore some of the diverse buildings featured in the annual Doors Open Day, 365 days of the year. Instead of waiting for one Saturday in September, curious architecture and interiors fans can enter a virtual world, making the interiors and stories of key buildings more accessible through a website, app and printed trail, as well as teaching and learning resources.
Featuring new showstoppers such as Horizon House (the new Environment Agency offices) and the Bristol Heart Institute, as well as much-loved favourites like Bristol Old Vic and St James Priory, Bristol Opening Doors includes buildings of varying size, age, and purpose, and with thrilling secrets behind each door. Bristol Opening Doors will lead you to where Pink Floyd played in the 1960s, to where gold treasure was discovered in a lift shaft, and where 14 real fig trees grow indoors. Plus many more hidden gems.
Instead of the usual collection of paintings or sculptures usually found in arts organisations, the Architecture Centre, with the help of community volunteers, decided to use and curate the buildings of Bristol as their ‘collection’, encouraging residents and visitors to explore and interact with the diverse nature of the city’s buildings in more depth and in new, digital ways.
Featuring examples from Bristol’s most historic to its most contemporary buildings, Bristol Opening Doors presents a true cultural collection for all to learn about, experience, and enjoy. Launching on Saturday 6th April with an exhibition at the Architecture Centre’s harbour side gallery, and a guided walk, taking in some of the key locations on the Bristol Opening Doors map.
To find out more visit: www.bristolopeningdoors.org
#bristolopeningdoors
This project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund ‘Your Heritage’ programme with additional support from the Bristol Building’s Preservation Trust, Bristol City Council and The Drake Trust.
