Location: Lowestoft, Suffolk
Client: Warner Hotels
Listed Grade: II
Other Constraints: Outside built-up area of Lowestoft, significant landscaping, and flora
RIBA Plan of Work stages: 0-7
Gunton Hall Coastal Village lies north of the built-up area of Lowestoft, near the village of Corton, within a reduced landscaped park that was designed in the style of Sir Humphrey Repton. Late 20th century incremental development of the hall, consisting of extensions for kitchen, dining, bar, and entertainment use, have impacted the listed building’s relation to its context. Extensive swimming and leisure facilities, coupled with chalet/double room accommodation for guests have impacted visually and impinge upon the setting of the building.
PWP Architects secured planning and Listed Building Consent to redevelop the existing complex in phases to restore the importance of the main house. Phase One would see some unsympathetic extensions and outbuildings demolished in favour of a subservient development that would see new accommodation, dining, cabaret and leisure spa facilities built within a sinuous structure that extends to the east to retain southern and western views of the main house. Phase Two would see the incremental replacement of demolished chalet terraces with lodges and the construction of a lakeside restaurant at the southern tip of the hotel wing to benefit from views across the water.
Through conversations with the client, five tourist lodges (fabricated off-site in factory conditions to improve the programme timeline and benefit construction quality) would be constructed first to gauge desirability by guests. Each lodge contains five units with terrace spaces, and with some interconnection to allow for larger groups to stay together. The lodges are located in an enhanced woodland setting to provide solace from the hotel complex to the east. The lodges are clad in a recycled composite timber cladding with dark grey aluminium detailing and brise soleil, and light grey aluminium openings and guttering.
