aerial view, boscastle, wellington, site plan, cgi

Wellington Hotel

The Wellington Hotel
Boscastle

 

2024 CONCEPT

(unrealised)

Introducing our concept for the refurbishment of The Wellington Hotel in the fishing village of Boscastle.

 

A historic hotel steeped in history and folklore; our design breathed new life into the iconic structure, offering visitors an unforgettable, experiential stay that honored the buildings past while embracing contemporary design and comfort.

 

Boscastle is a known for its witchcraft, mythology and folklore. It is a beacon for book lovers, writers and walkers alike and allows its visitors to experience nature in its rawest form. Nestled amongst the trees within the Valency Valley, The Wellington Hotel is rumored to be one of the most haunted hotels in Cornwall.

We were keen to draw upon this in our concepts to reinvigorate the hotel, whilst respecting the enchanting and romantic narrative that people have grown to love about the hotel and its surrounding landscape. We of course, had to respect the loyal residents of the hotel; both human and supernatural.

 

The Wellington Hotel has long been a beloved fixture in the community, steeped in history and local folklore. Our vision was to create a space where history and modern sensibilities coexist in harmony, inviting guests to step into a world that feels both timeless and enchanting.

Wellington Hotel, Boscastle, Concept, Design, Pub Design, Hotel Design, Historic, Listed
aerial view, boscastle, wellington, site plan, cgi
beer garden, garden terrace, CGI, design

One of the most exciting elements of the Wellington Hotel’s redevelopment is the transformation of the former car park into a stunning beer garden. This space has been carefully crafted to provide a relaxing and atmospheric environment for guests to enjoy, day or night. The beer garden serves as a welcoming outdoor retreat, where the community can gather, socialize, and unwind.

 

In our design, we wanted to ensure that the beer garden was not just functional but also a visually captivating experience. The space is adorned with festoon lights that create a warm and inviting glow as the sun sets. These lights, strung across the garden, add a touch of whimsy and romance, making it the perfect spot for evening gatherings.

 

To further enhance the ambiance, we have incorporated up-lighting to highlight the façade of the historic Wellington Hotel. This subtle yet impactful lighting design accentuates the architectural beauty of the original building, casting shadows and light that emphasize its rich history. The up-lighting serves as a reminder of the hotel’s storied past, creating a striking contrast between the old and the new.

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As you step inside the Wellington Hotel, you are immediately immersed in a space that pays homage to the local folklore surrounding witchcraft and the supernatural.

 

The interior design has been meticulously curated to evoke an enchanting feel, blending elements of mystery and charm to create a truly unique atmosphere.

 

Drawing inspiration from the tales of witchcraft that are woven into the fabric of the local culture, our design team sought to incorporate these elements in a tasteful and imaginative way. The result is a space that feels otherworldly yet inviting, where guests can explore the history and mystique of the area.

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Keavan’s Port

Keavan’s Port
Camden Street, Dublin

Located in central Dublin, the new hotel, bar and restaurant is forged from a collection of existing and new buildings. A terrace of protected Georgian houses, forms the primary front elevation, whilst two new hotel blocks flank a retained chapel building to the rear. The development is linked together by a triple height glass atrium, creating an internal central ‘plaza’ space.

Two courtyard gardens occupy the space between the new and historic buildings, the larger of which takes on the design strategy of a series of ‘back yards’ to the Georgian terrace. The site comprises 89 guest bedroom together with approximately 10,000sqft of bar/ restaurant area spread across the complex.

street elevation, montage, panorama, shopfront, design, architecture, heritage,
Hotel atrium, glass, hotel design, interior design, architecture, pub
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feature staircase, feature lighting, interior design, mirrors, stained glass, windows
pub design, hotel design, restaurant design, hospitality
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chainsaw sculpture, sculpture, design, artwork, beer garden
beer garden, community engagement, artwork, history, design

Photography: © Pippa Hudson Photography

The Old Borough

The Old Borough
Dublin

Located in the ancient town of Swords, just north of Dublin city centre, The Old Borough is one of its best known buildings. When the client saw potential for a character pub in this prime example of Georgian architecture designed by noted Irish architect Francis Johnston, they appointed kdpa to design this sensitive conversion.

A school for nearly two hundred years it was this history that gave the building its local significance and it was this history that kdpa focused on to underpin its design approach.

Working to strict planning guidelines including the re-use of existing openings and specification of lime plaster finish, kdpa were able to organise the building so that the most significant space, the ground floor was almost entirely devoted to customer area. The interior sought to retain the essence of the original building with retained features, historical detailing and vintage inspired fittings whilst adding subtle contemporary nuances that brought the pub into the 21st century.

Photography: © Pippa Hudson Photography

The Crown Hotel

The Crown Hotel
Worcester

Located in the centre of Worcester, kdpa were asked by our client to develop a Grade II listed building into an 18 Bedroom Hotel.

The design intention for the interior space of the hotel was to reflect the building’s historical relationship with Edward Elgar who played and rehearsed here in the late 1800s and to use unifying visual elements to create a sense of playfulness. The repetitive use of blue and white as well as reappearing music symbols as patterns in fabrics, wall coverings and floor inserts has been used as a way-finding device and a means of carrying the design concept into all areas of this hotel.

The bedrooms greatly acknowledge Elgar as the focus for the key design elements. As one of the world’s most famous musicians, this is reflected in a number of areas, from the decoupage violin artwork, the musical score on the carpet coming from the piece Nimrod from Elgar’s Enigma Variation and the bedside table lamps with musical sheets from various Elgar compositions inside.

In the communal areas, the corridor carpet has yet more musical emblem references and the hotel reception lighting and pendants on the ground floor stairwells have been designed to look like the notes on a score sheet.

The colour scheme for the hotel was inspired by the internal staircase on the third floor which was built in the 17th Century. The blue which prevails throughout the design, is reflective of Delft Ware – Dutch porcelain that was very popular in 17th century in England. Worcester itself is also hugely famous for producing its own pottery.

The exterior of the building originates from the 19th Century, during the Industrial Revolution, hence the reference to this in the use of metal internally, in some of the bedroom furniture and light fittings.

The signage was of key importance. It is decorative and had close links to calligraphy, which is considered “the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious, and skillful manner, just like in music.

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Photography: © Mark Wilson