Community Media Centre

Bridgwater, Somerset

O2i Design Consultants worked with a local charity to create a new Community Media Centre in Bridgwater. Our design team supported Somerset Film secure funding from the Arts Council England to refurbish newly acquired premises. The grant allowed the charity to refurbish its premises on Bridgwater High Street.

O2i Design team created new Community Media Centre studios, which enhance the digital and creative media services offered by Somerset Film. The new premises provide community rehearsal/meeting spaces, house a local film and TV archive and improve edit facilities. Better access and connectivity are now available. The new building offers flexible studios within a new three-storey rear extension. New circulation links to the existing areas make the whole building fully accessible. The large studio facilities include dedicated space for disabled filmmakers.

Spectacular temporary steel propping was installed whilst the building was entirely gutted. A new steel and concrete framework created three flexible studio spaces. This project has recently won the “Best Public Service Building” across the South West for the renovation and extension of the Engine Room, Bridgwater for Somerset Film, as part of the LABC South West Regional Building Excellence Awards 2017.