Development of niche hotel in highly constrained site within Conservation Area.
This development proposal centres on establishing an appropriate use and design solution for a redundant site with very difficult planning constraints. The steeply sloping site of an existing narrow building, prominent in the Conservation Area is effectively landlocked on three sides, with restricted highway access to the fourth. Of particular issue are high noise levels from a long standing live music venue next door.
The design strategy responds to the unique setting of the Ouseburn Valley Conservation Area. Scale, height and massing of the hotel, together with provision of active frontage at street level, follow prescriptions set out in the Ouseburns Urban Design Framework for new buildings on Back Maling St.
Detailed design of the building draws on Ouseburn’s industrial heritage: The new building is built tight to pavement, creating a defined street edge. Sheer brick walls describe the basic building envelope.
Facades are composed by repetition of simple un-fenestrated glazed windows, generally characterised by deep openings in the masonry.
The exception to this is a large two story glazed foyer offering much needed public interface along a re- landscaped Back Maling Street.
The new building responds to the acoustic climate and constraints both in its use and construction. This proposal proved hugely controversial within context of the live music scene within the Ouseburn Valley. In resolution through the Planning Process , it was established that acoustic attenuation and Environmental Health Legislation would enable live music to continue at full volume in the venue next door.
A comprehensive assessment of the complex issues at the heart of this case, together with the Planning Committees conclusions can be found here :
The practice is in the process of developing proposals for a second phase of the hotel development on an adjacent site.
