memorial garden: Redcliffe

THE TEAM: Farah Elamrawy, Ethan Fraser, Tony Goh, Shiva Kanukula, Sreeniketh Mohan, Danni Payne, Andrea Rocchi, Megan Tsen, Nikoletta Wiecek

Introduction: The Memorial Garden in Bristol, once a Quaker burial ground, has significant historical importance, featuring a medieval hermit’s cave and gravestones of the Quakers buried there. In the 1960s, the site was transformed into a sensory garden for the blind, but it eventually fell into disrepair. Recently, the garden has been re-purposed, focusing on creating a reflective space for people dealing with loss.

Facilitators: This initiative, led by Mary Griggs (NHS), Susana Askew (City of Sanctuary) and various community organisations.

Collaborators: We also worked with the Bristol Refugee Artist Collective (BRAC)

Our Brief: The University of the West of England (UWE) has been involved in the project for the past two years, with Master of Architecture students collaborating on the garden’s redesign. These students work closely with the community, including asylum seekers and refugees, to ensure the space meets their needs. One challenge arose when developers proposed using the garden site for construction purposes, which was successfully opposed with support from the Quakers and heritage groups.

What is next for the project?
The project is now moving forward with proposals for new lighting, seating, planting, and community activities aimed at bringing the whole community together. The team are currently in the process of developing bespoke designs and planning recurring gardening workshops.

UWE has provided a range of visualisations to show the potential of the project, which can be used for fundraising purposes. The students have also contested the implementation of a third entrance and a path segregating the garden which was a point of contention for the community.

The Memorial Garden will be designed to be an inclusive space for reflection, remembrance, and connection. Welcoming people from all walks of life, especially those who have experienced loss, to foster a sense of unity and support within the neighbourhood.