Nestled in the valley along Abbeydale Road, the former Jacob’s manufacturing site is bounded by railway, river and road. The 23 bedroom facility forms part of a larger care village and reflects its industrial heritage with its carefully design exterior.

The building envelope comprises linear and reclaimed bricks, to offer contrast to one another whilst complimenting the timber element in tone and warmth.

Carefully detailed materials see window reveals, parapet coping and banding acknowledge the industrial vernacular of the former industrial buildings. This is emphasised further with selected details encompassing exposed steel.

A green sedum roof adds bio-diversity and visual screening to minimise the scar left by an industrial concrete slab, whilst internally the industrial approach continues through interior finishes carefully selected to enhance the experience for the users. By careful detailing and with thought for furniture and picture frames, the exceptional facilities and standard of care can be achieved without the aesthetics being compromised.

To utilise the site and achieve full use of the floor area, the proposal included a basement area to create the vital storage area and at ground floor a purpose designed office space, which would form the client’s company headquarters. Above, 18 en-suite bedrooms fitted with quality interior finishes would provide a much needed extension to the popular hotel.

The site enjoys uninterrupted views of the River Tyne to the south, and the large areas of glazing, interspersed with unique timber brise soleil, add to the rhythym of the design as well as offer environmental consideration.

The setting of the John Dobson designed Doxford Hall estate and the walled garden would require a considered and heritage led design approach, as well as ensuring the client’s proposals could be delivered. Full and Listed Building Planning applications were submitted and fully supported by the local community and authority respectively.

This exciting proposal consisting of over a dozen hotel bedrooms, in the form of ‘lodges’, along with a circular bridal suite and wedding pavilion, with numerous smaller architectural elements inserted in and around the existing fabric will provide one of the most exciting venues in the country.

The two local sporting clubs appointed us to deliver a new exciting opportunity for a new build shared facility to provide clubhouse and viewing areas for the tennis club and changing facilities for Tynedale RFC women’s team and their visiting opponents.

The proposal for the new pavilion was to be a modest timber clad structure, raised over two metres above the existing ground levels to alleviate flooding issues that have previously devasted the buildings and facilities in the area. Through incorporating a concrete plinth to raise the building, it allows water to pass through but also provide a robust structure in the event of floods. The raised levels also coincided with the client’s requirement for a raised viewing gallery over the playing courts.

The project will provide much needed facilities to both clubs to allow them to grow and increase membership and participation in their respective sports.