Location:
Coventry
Completion Date:
July, 2008
Client:
No Ordinary Hotels
Project Value:
£3 million
Services:
Summary:
IDP were asked to provide a detached bedroom facility on a site formerly used for car parking at the prestigious Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry. Architecturally, the building is positioned in a very sensitive location, sitting close to the Grade One Listed Coombe Abbey (part of the main hotel) and several Grade Two listed outbuildings, the scheme was developed in consultation with English Heritage and the Conservation Officer. A precedent study of the work of Edwin Lutyens and his contemporaries was included within the design statement supporting the planning application.
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The design reflects the arts and craft tradition, echoing a number of the adjacent outbuildings that were developed at the end of the nineteenth century whilst respecting the historic Abbey. Intricate detailing and the use of a variety of materials to decorative effect were therefore considered appropriate.
The scheme comprises 39 ensuite bedrooms primarily over two floors, forming a new internal courtyard and linking externally with the pattern of existing development. A number of Feature bedrooms have a further mezzanine level within the roof housing luxurious steam rooms and offering views over the adjacent Country park.
The scheme was commended for its design during the planning process. The irregularity of the plan form is used to break down the building’s mass and add relief to elevations whilst still maintaining a picturesque composition.
This also allows circulation routes to meander and become a series of “places” with differing ceiling heights and selected views out. Given the restricted views at ground floor level it was important that the development did not become overly introverted.
For this reason bedrooms on the first-floor west wing are flipped to allow views out over the adjacent Country Park. Careful consideration has been given to corners as part of an overall elevational treatment which utilises feature windows and projecting bays to frame key views and terminate vistas. The scheme has been well received by both Client and Customers.