Project Info:
Brief: Rockliffe Hall Hotel and Spa is a five red star luxury hotel located on the banks of the River Tees in the countryside of County Durham. The Hotel and Spa consists of a Grade II listed Old Hall formally owned by the Backhouse family and a modern extension incorporating a bedroom wing as well as Spa and leisure facilities.
Since the opening in November 2009 the Spa facilities have been hugely successful with both hotel guests and people travelling to use the facilities from nearby towns and further afield. Rockliffe Hall have seen a demand for not only an external pool but also an exclusive use Spa area which can be booked by parties of up to 20 people. The brief was therefore to combine both the elements of exclusivity and external bathing areas in a new independent pavilion building.
Design: The proposed curved building form reflects the curves of the hydro pool and main pool façade whilst creating an enclosed intimate space, opening up to a fully glazed façade. The central focal point is a combined fireplace and water feature, with the internal layout radiating from this point. The roof lantern centered within the space provides ample daylight and translates the internal focal point of the building up to roof level, overlooked from the bistro balcony of the existing spa.
The external space generated between the existing building and new pavilion is sheltered by, but not overwhelmed by the new building, as the curved form opens up to the view on either side of the building. The main hydrotherapy pool to the south of the pavilion building has an infinity edge to create the illusion of being seated within the landscape, with uninterrupted views out over the golf course and woodland areas.