Renovation and Expansion of The Bowl, Town Gardens, Swindon

Central Swindon South Parish Council seeks to renovate and expand The Bowl, Town Gardens, Swindon. The Bowl is a 1936 Art Deco style theatre bowl with a stage and backstage designed by Alfred Ridout located in a natural amphitheatre and is one of only a handful of its kind in the country. Although itself not listed, the park and other features such as the Victorian bandstand and kiosk are Grade II listed. The Bowl is being used for music and theatre performances but needs repair and renovation to preserve its unique heritage and facility expansion to meet the developing needs of community and commercial use for residents and businesses.

Central Swindon South Parish Council seeks to appoint an architect experienced in performance spaces, historic buildings and landscaping to develop concept options and drawings governing the renovation of and improvements to The Bowl, Town Gardens, Swindon.

In addition to making the building structurally sound, the Council would like to insulate the building, improve the access to the rear, upgrade mechanical and electrical services, add backstage changing rooms, add disability access, as well as storage space and facilities, improve drainage in the auditorium area and install toilets for performers and the audience. The Council would also like to explore opportunities for sustainable and off-grid solutions, e.g. air-source heat, geothermal, wind turbine and/or solar photovoltaic installations.

Bidders are invited to submit a completed tender submission form as well as evidence as listed in section 9 (evaluation criteria) in the tender document.