Features / Science
You won’t believe what At-Bristol looked like
As At-Bristol approaches its 15th birthday this weekend, we take a look back through the life of the science centre as well as raiding their photo archives that take you right back to its beginning.
Opened in 2000, the project built on the philosophy of The Exploratory, a hands on science centre created by Professor Richard Gregory in 1987.
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Christopher Parsons, the former head of the BBC Natural History Unit was also a key part of the project, and oversaw the building of Wildwalk.
In the 1990s he was the producer of multiple IMAX nature documentaries, and was influential in the inclusion of an IMAX theatre in the At-Bristol project – now part of Bristol Aquarium.
The ambitious project originally offered visitors three main attractions. The first, Explore, a hands on science centre including a planetarium housed in a stainless steel sphere.
Secondly, Wildwalk, an ecology centre containing live animals, hands-on exhibits and artificial rainforests.
And thirdly, an IMAX theatre which became the first of the three to open its doors on April 20 2000.
More than four million people have now visited the centre since its full opening on July 8 2000, including nearly half a million children on school trips.
Its funding came from the National lottery, the South West of England Regional Development agencies, Bristol City Council and commercial partners – including a controversial donation from Nestle.
As it was intended to be self-financing once established, At-Bristol doesn’t receive any governmental funding, and raises £1.25m annually to keep running.
The new centre, which opened seven months after the closure of The Exploratory, was built as part of a massive refurbishment of Canon’s Marsh.
The refurbishment saw Explore, which is now At-Bristol, take up residence in a 1906 railway good shed. Wildwalk and the IMAX occupied a former 19th century lead works building. Both buildings are Grade II listed.
Parts of the surrounding area were also part of the refurbishment, with Millennium Square and Anchor Square also receiving major revamps.
In 2007, Wildwalk and the IMAX closed in a decision that was made to protect the future of Explore, which would change its name to At-Bristol in 2010.
Wildwalk was converted into an aquarium in October 2009, with the IMAX theatre being re-opened as part of the conversion. However, in 2011, the decision was made to stop screening films. It is now a hirable space, used for a range of activities including conferences and product launches.
Sustainability has always been key to the At-Bristol project. The building is an example of low-energy design, and won a Gold Green Tourism award in 2011.
The centre has housed more than 1000 exhibitions, including now offering digital 3D in the planetarium.
Away from the public spaces, At-Bristol houses class rooms, laboratories and preparation rooms. The private spaces above the centre are also hired out for anything from weddings to Christmas parties, even some council meetings.
At-Bristol celebrates its 15th birthday this weekend, coinciding with a two-day event that offers free entry for families who live in Southmead or have children that go to school in the area.
It is one of six ‘Hello!’ weekends that run year round, which offers families from a community free entry to At-Bristol and all the exhibitions.
Happy birthday, At-Bristol. Here’s to 15 more exciting years.
For more information, visit www.at-bristol.org.uk.