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