Rawlings – Bristol

An exciting project to help construct a new headquarters for Rawlings – one of the oldest bottle suppliers in the UK. The internal glulam frame was left exposed, celebrating the engineering details of this industrial architectural design.

The dramatic dark exterior hides a warm, industrially flavoured interior accommodating the head offices of one of Bristol’s oldest manufacturing companies. The company was established in Bristol by William Rawlings in 1850 when glass was still being manufactured at two kilns in the city. Empty glass bottles were collected, washed and sold on to local wine merchants. An early example of entrepreneurial recycling!

Rawlings is the largest independent supplier to many of the UK’s most popular brands. The Routley family are still the proud owners of Rawlings today.

Specification

  • Project: Rawling’s Head Office, Bristol
  • Commission: Engineering design, manufacture and installation.
  • Client:  Rawlings Bristol 
  • Architect: Cryer & Coe
  • Engineer: Structural Solutions
  • Contractor: dovetail.ltd
  • Timber: Spruce
  • Fixings: Steel joining plates / galvanised through bolts.
  • Finish: Water-based satin varnish.
  • Cost (approx): £290 per square metre for engineering, design, manufacture and installation.