My Bristol Favourites: Shankari Edgar

Shankari Edgar is an architect and founder of Nudge Group. Her recently completed projects include the OVO Energy headquarters, Old Market Assembly, Engine Shed, Temple Studios and Creative Common. She is currently on the board of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and is also a visiting lecturer at Cardiff University and UWE.

Here are Shankari’s top-five Bristol favourites:

The Old Market Assembly

“I was lucky enough to work closely with the clients on this project for over a year and I was inspired by their vision and determination to deliver such a unique offering to Bristol. The Old Market Assembly opened in November 2015 and it offers live music most nights of the week, theatre (every night), fresh bread (first thing in the morning – just buzz the bell to the gate on the left of the front façade), somewhere quiet to work during the day, great food for the flexitarian in you and a roof top terrace. And I am not being biased… well, maybe a little!”

Snuff Mills

“Snuff Mills was purchased in 1926 by the Corporation of Bristol as “a pleasure walk for citizens of Bristol” (so says Wikipedia).  I love jumping on my bike and cycling over to Snuff Mills for an hour. Getting outdoors and back to nature at the weekend is good for the soul. It gives me time to reflect and have some time out – whether with friends/ family, walking the dog or alone.  The park boasts a quarry, a stone mill, large ponds and steep wooded banks.”

Engine Shed

“Engine Shed was a project I began working on, in 2013, for clients Bristol City Council, the University of Bristol and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, and three years later it is now a thriving enterprise hub providing workspace for a range of high-tech, creative and low carbon businesses. This still remains one of my favourite projects in my portfolio because the clients were visionary whilst simultaneously giving the design team room to create something truly unique for the city of Bristol’s needs. It has a series of well-occupied spaces on the first floor to meet clients, network and work solo. The turfed area at the front next to Temple Meads Station often has intriguing interactive exhibitions, so check the space out next time you’re there.”

Olive Shed

“This is my favourite spot to eat on a sunny day. The Olive Shed is situated next to the M Shed, adjacent to the floating harbour. Whether it’s legs dangling with a pint of cider in front of the Arnolfini or scrumptious tapas at the Olive Shed, nothing beats being by the water. It feels astonishingly Mediterranean in atmosphere when the sun is beating bright and you have a glass of white wine to quench your thirst.”

The Volunteer Tavern

“The Volunteer Tavern is our after work drinks pub of choice on a Thursday or Friday. It is a sturdy, small, old, rough around the edges pub with a great beer garden located just behind Old Market. You’re always bound to meet someone here with an interesting tale or two and a strong political view. Those who frequent this pub are makers, creatives and the opinionated.”

Read more: Shankari Edgar: ‘Why we should support the need for an arena’