In 2024, Rainbow were appointed as furniture partners alongside Hassell’s design team to deliver the vision for the entrance space and FM office at Bristol’s newest city-centre development – The Welcome Building, designed by Darling Associates.
The Brief
The client team set out to create a highly sustainable, welcoming environment with a strong emphasis on locality, longevity, and investment in quality pieces. The brief called for a combination of bespoke-designed tables, lighting, rugs and seat cushions, alongside carefully curated furniture solutions that would support community use, collaboration and wellbeing.
The Solution
Rainbow worked closely with Hassell to translate bespoke concepts into reality, appointing expert fabricators local to Bristol and collaborating with our in-house furniture designers throughout the process. Rainbow managed all finish sampling, drawing sign-off and coordination, ensuring design intent was maintained from concept through to installation.
For the non-bespoke elements of the FF&E solution, Rainbow focused on partnering with British and European manufacturers with strong sustainability credentials and well-established design heritage. This approach supported the creation of The Street – a distinctive, ground-floor feature space that runs through the building, offering inclusive and flexible areas for collaboration, work and community use for both occupiers and visitors.
Summary
The Welcome Building is a landmark development for Bristol, supporting net zero by 2030 targets while setting a new benchmark for sustainability, wellbeing and community-focused design. With advanced ESG credentials, the project demonstrates how considered furniture procurement and bespoke design can play a pivotal role in creating future-ready workplaces and public spaces.
Key Outcomes
- Bespoke design and fabrication of co-working solid wood tables, custom Dali lighting, seat pads for bleachers and bespoke rugs.
- Achieved a 5-Star NABERS Design for Performance rating.
- WELL Platinum and BREEAM Outstanding certifications.
Special thanks to the entire project team
Architect / Designer: Hassell
Contractor: Wates
Project Managers: Knight Frank
Furniture & Supplier Partners: Vitra, Artemide, Flos, Totzke, Prostoria, HAY, Davison Highley, Swedese, Bla Station, Moroso, Treku, Orangebox, Carl Hansen, Artek, Fritz Hansen, Ondarreta, Andreu World, ENEA and Atrium.
