Bristol Royal Infirmary new 'landmark' facade approved

The design involves re-cladding the building and creating a small open garden

A modern redesign of Bristol Royal Infirmary's "ugly" facade has been approved by the city council.

The new frontage is part of a £92m redevelopment of the hospital which has so far included a new Welcome Centre, ward block and helideck.

The design, named 'Veil' by Spanish architects Nieto Sobejano, won an international competition announced by the NHS in 2012.

Work on the facade is expected to start later this year.

'Landmark building'

Robert Woolley, chief executive officer at University Hospitals Bristol, said: "We believe that Nieto Sobejano's design strongly meets the original aims of the commission, namely to create a landmark building for Bristol that is welcoming and non-threatening.

"It enhances the streetscape and public realm, and reflects, through excellence in design, our reputation for clinical excellence.

"With the planning permission now in place, we can now move forward with our plans to install the new façade, which is a highly visible aspect of the wider project to refurbish our hospitals," he said.

The BRI Queen's Building on Upper Maudlin Street was once voted one of the ugliest in Bristol.