Airbus Filton
Airbus at Filton Today, Tomorrow, Our Future A4
Airbus Aerospace Park The Airbus Aerospace Park in Filton is officially open. It is the British engineering headquarters of Airbus and a flagship for global aerospace excellence. The Aerospace Park, and the people who work here, have made Filton the jewel in the crown of UK aviation and put the company back into the heart of the community.
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Airbus at Filton
A building of global, historical, social and engineering significance…
Pegasus House
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he iconic building stands proud again and it is being used as it was always intended to be used – to support and prolong Bristol’s proud aviation heritage. Originally called Filton House, it was built on the instructions of Sir Stanley White, son of the founder of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. South-African born artist Jan Juta’s fabulous Bristol inspired art deco stained glass window.
It was state of the art for its time, and included a number of unique features. The most important of these was the art-deco stained glass window that celebrated the company’s history and pictured many of its aircraft and engines as well as the mythological figures after which they were named. Filton House opened in 1936 and was in use for more than 50 years. Some of the most important and iconic aircraft ever, including Concorde, were designed in its drawing offices and it was visited by kings and queens, heads of state, film stars and war heroes. During the 1990s, for a number of reasons the building was abandoned. Although it was granted Grade II Listed status, it became best known to a generation of Bristolians for being an eyesore, encased in plastic sheeting, at the top of Filton Hill. Beneath the sheeting, the building was in a sorry state. It had been badly vandalised and there were hazards including asbestos and lead. Rainwater and pigeons had made their way in despite the sheeting, the structure was rotting and the steel was corroding. Some of the rooms had been fire damaged and there were holes in the ceilings and floors. A plan was drawn up to restore the special features and to refurbish the structure and interior of the building as sympathetically as possible. Architect David Olivares and his team worked closely with colleagues from the South Gloucestershire Council and Miller
Construction, the main contractor. Most of the people brought in to work on the site were local and around 40% of sub-contractors, including specialists in glass, wood and metal restoration, came from within a 15-mile radius of Filton. The first work on the refurbishment of the building began in 2007. Now thanks to the vision, investment, commitment and skill of hundreds of individuals and many businesses, the building and its features have been refurbished and repaired. The result is a wonderful office block that is being used every day by hundreds of people for its original purpose – to support and prolong Bristol’s proud aviation heritage. Airbus employees who work inside the building, renamed Pegasus House after the sculpture over one of the entrances, are proud to be continuing a tradition of global importance.
Denis Dunlop’s statue of the winged horse, Pegasus, proudly rears once more on the front of the building that bears its name.
Airbus at Filton
Barnwell House
Work began on the Airbus Aerospace Park’s flagship building Barnwell House, in March 2012. Over the following 21 months, the construction and development proceeded at a staggering rate.
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nce the land had been cleared, work began on the reinforced concrete foundations and 336 piles were installed to support the structure. Within weeks the building began to take shape. 1,350 tonnes of steelwork was brought onto the site and the main contractor, Miller Construction, brought in a second gang of workers to help install the framework.
Going green Barnwell is an eco-design building It is naturally ventilated It has a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ There are changing facilities for 600 cyclists
As the framework was finished, the scale of the building became apparent and it was truly aweinspiring! While workers were busy putting up 4,356 square metres of cladding and almost half a kilometre of guttering around the building, others were putting the finishing touches to an environmentally friendly technology centre. Work was also progressing on the infrastructure, on new roads and car parks, and on the security provisions for the new site. Moving 2,400 people from buildings where they had been working, some for many years, was no easy feat. The wings, fuel systems and landing gears for future programmes are designed at Filton. Employees would need desks and chairs, meeting rooms, rest rooms and shower facilities, places to buy, and eat refreshments and ‘chill out’ areas where they could relax. Not all the vast amounts of
paperwork and documentation amassed over the decades could be moved. It had to be sorted, electronically copied and archived. There was the matter of moving computer terminals, telephones and other vital equipment. The logistics were mind-blowing and a dedicated team was working hard on sorting everything out. By late summer, 2013, Barnwell House was nearing completion, and the first teams began to move in, starting at the top and working down. Redundant office furniture and equipment was redistributed as far as possible with priority given to charities, schools and community organisations. Dave Micklewright, Airbus Head of Facility Management and Real Estate said: “Airbus has made a huge investment in Filton and it’s a sign of the confidence the company has in its people, the site and in the UK.”
“Every day, when I drive around the corner and see the buildings, I’m incredibly proud of what has been achieved…” – Steve Fowles, Head of Buildings and Construction
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Airbus at Filton
President and CEO of Airbus Fabrice Brégier performs the unveiling ceremony – formally opening Barnwell House and the Airbus Aerospace Park.
Launching the
Airbus Aerospace Park The opening of the Airbus Aerospace Park signifies the beginning of a new era for aviation in Bristol.
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he two main buildings on the park, the iconic Pegasus House and the futuristic Barnwell House together represent the site’s history and heritage, its current status as a centre of engineering excellence, and its future. Each building was opened in style, but each very differently. In September 2013, His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester was special guest at a 1930s themed day of celebrations to commemorate the reopening of Pegasus House following its complete refurbishment. He joined VIP guests and employees to enjoy a traditional garden party, entertainment from musicians and a Laurel and Hardy tribute act, tours of the buildings and special displays. Airbus staff dressed in costumes of the time. The Duke said: “It is appropriate this building has been restored to its former glory. I hope those that come to work here will feel a sense of history.” Minister of State for Business and Enterprise Michael Fallon said: “When Pegasus House opened in 1936, Bristol was a supplier to nearly half the world’s airlines. Now Airbus in the UK produces wings for 50% of the world’s large modern aircraft. Pegasus House is a reminder of the UK’s past, present and prosperous future as a leading aerospace nation.” And Cllr Ian Boulton, Chairman of South Gloucestershire Council added: “Pegasus House has now regained its rightful place as a landmark building where local people can continue to develop world beating aerospace technologies for decades to come.” Barnwell House was opened on December 5th, 2013. President and CEO of Airbus
Fabrice Brégier flew to Bristol from Airbus’ Toulouse headquarters to be there. Fabrice Brégier said: “The importance of the Filton site to Airbus and to aerospace in general cannot be overstated. The expertise and skills here are world class and play a pivotal role in developing new technologies for the future of aviation.” Several hundred employees were invited to attend a celebration in one of the four Barnwell House atria. They included 40 people who had found special gold tickets hidden inside the wrappers of chocolate bars sold in aid of charity. Hundreds more watched from the internal balconies above. As well as Fabrice Brégier, there were speeches by General Manager and Human Resources Director Mark Stewart, Vice President Engineering Neil Scott and, representing the Government, Martin Donnelly, Permanent Secretary from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. The event was compered by BBC TV presenter David Garmston.
“I have seen for myself the work of technical experts in Filton who are working hard to ensure we remain the world’s preferred supplier and continue to build and design the planes of the future – lighter, quieter, faster, and more fuel efficient…” – A message from Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister
And why Barnwell House? Engineer Phil Keenan suggested that the new building be called Barnwell House after employees were asked for suggestions. It was voted as favourite by Phil’s colleagues at Airbus. Frank Barnwell was one of the most important aviation engineers the world has ever known. He was hired to work as a designer for the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, the first Bristol aviation company, in 1911, and went on to design the Bristol Fighter, one of the most important aircraft of the First World War. Later Barnwell designs included the Bristol Bulldog and the Bristol Blenheim bomber. Phil Keenan was a VIP guest at the Barnwell House opening celebrations.
© AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD. Filton, BS99 7AR, United Kingdom, 2014. All rights reserved. Airbus, its logo and the product names are registered trademarks. Concept design by Graphic Design Services +44 (0)117 936 4451. Printed in United Kingdom. Reference 9400-06, March 2014.
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