Portfolio - kdpa

19th December 2023

Victoria Inn

Victoria Inn
Salcombe

The Victoria Inn is located within the popular coastal resort of Salcombe in South Devon; a seasonal town that fluctuates from 1800 permanent residents up to 30,000 holiday-goers in the peak Summer season. As such; the pub demands a need for flexibility, allowing it to accommodate varying levels of trade throughout the year.

The existing pub had all the characterful elements you’d expect from a purpose-built pub of its age with low ceilings, exposed beams, roaring stone fireplaces and an eclectic mix of artwork and bric-a-brac. However, it was let down by ‘mini’ refurbishments that tackled micro-problems rather than the pub as a whole; leaving an incoherent design aesthetic. There was also an issue with loose furniture compatibility; with many of the chairs unable to fit under tables and everything oversized for the small cosy spaces they were occupying.

We wanted to let the building speak for itself and enhance the original features with rich heritage colours and coastal-inspired arts & crafts patterned wallpapers and fabrics. New front and back bar joinery has been designed to complement the original features and re-establish a central heart to the pub; shying away from the confused rustic aesthetic installed as a later addition.

Dining height furniture in the bar area has been lifted to mid & poseur height and drinks shelves added to define a dedicated drinking zone around the bar, with cosy dining areas formed beyond the fireplace on the ground floor and up on the first floor. Elements of fixed seating have been added to the ground and first floors to help ground a new collection of loose furniture throughout.

Photography: © Ardy Media

8th December 2023

The Crabshell

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The Crabshell
Kingsbridge

The Crabshell is located in Kingsbridge; a market town with a population of around 6000, popular with tourists visiting the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Kingsbridge is located at the northern tip of the Kingsbridge Estuary, linking the town to Salcombe at the southern end. The pub is the only establishment in Kingsbridge to be right on the water’s edge with spectacular views across the creek.

The existing pub had a very laid-back informal style appealing to both
holiday-makers and locals. However, it lacked the warmth and comfort that
you expect of a pub and had been run predominantly as a restaurant/ cafe
prior to new ownership.

The ground floor had a deli
counter serving coffee, salads and pies that was not required for the future
of the pub, while the upstairs lacked any character; with a sea of loose café
style furniture and blank ceilings and walls.

We wanted to retain the playful informality of the existing pub, while
injecting elements of interest through-out, with the aim to create a sense of
discovery as guests move through the pub.

With the combination of fixed seating, suspended ceiling rafts, playful artworks and illustrations and bold colours; we’ve created a range of drinking & dining spaces that offer the familiarities of a traditional pub with a whimsical, nautical-mythology twist.

We’ve also enhanced the exterior design with new pub signage, decoration
and planting. The first floor terrace has also been elevated with new fixed
and loose seating, external lighting & a sculptural canopy to create a
‘premium’ area for taking in the spectacular views over the estuary.

Photography: © Ardy Media

Photography: © Ardy Media

8th December 2023

The Waterfront

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The Waterfront
Plymouth

The Waterfront is a Regency Style Grade II listed building steeped in maritime history. Formerly the home of the Royal Western Yacht Club, founded in 1827, the Club played a leading role in the sport of sailing.

We wanted to celebrate the building’s history and build on its narrative by incorporating details inspired by this period of its use.

A feature trophy cabinet greets guests as they first enter the pub which displays old trophies and silverware from the Royal Western Yacht Club as well as a collection of model yachts, similar to those that would have been raced at the time.

A nautical inspired compass floor inlay leads guests through to the bar which has been altered to give more depth and presence at the heart of the pub.

Lighting & décor has been softened throughout to create an elegant, slightly art deco twist on the typical pub aesthetic; forming lounge styled drinking areas and emulating the grandeur of a club-house.

The pub struggled with street presence due to its sunken location below street level. The previous signage also gave the impression that the pub was predominantly a conference centre or function-space. It was also important for us to develop a strong signage scheme that gave the pub visibility from street level and on the elevated approach from Plymouth Hoe.

We also softened the existing beer garden/ terrace with coastal plants and various elements of ambient and architectural lighting. This also works as an element of the signage scheme giving more visual presence when viewed from The Hoe.

Photography: © Ardy Media

3rd August 2023

The Blackwater Stream

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The Blackwater Stream
Broadstone, UK

Project Value: £60k

Located in Broadstone, just outside of Poole in Dorset, this pub benefited from a large wrap around beer garden with mature shrubs and trees forming a natural boundary to the site. The garden required an overhaul to make it more accessible and to reduce maintenance costs. Temporary gazebo structures had been in place for some years following Covid restrictions and so a need for more permanent shelters was apparent. KDPA were tasked with bringing the garden up to spec with a minimal budget of £60k. We spent the budget wisely by retaining as much as much of the existing features as we could. The existing steps were cut back to allow for a new accessible ramp improving access to all customers to the beer garden.

Existing paving was cleaned and lifted and re-laid where required to minimise new groundwork. The metal framed entrance was replaced with an oak framed rose arch to help soften the approach to the pub, this will be planted with climbers. A mature cherry tree was brought into focus by creating a fixed drink shelf around its trunk and forming a feature resin bound floor around it. A new timber framed pergola was positioned at 45 degrees to the main entrance to provide sheltered fixed seating and guide customers to the entrance which is hidden, tucked round the corner of the shopfront. Inset stepping stones lead you round to a previously unused South Facing passageway which we have widened and added a pergola to provide an extension to the seating area.

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