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Design Principles

Our approach to design is guided by the scale and character of Cranbrook Road, ensuring the new hotel feels contemporary yet respectful of its surroundings.

Scale and Street Character

  • The design has been influenced by other successful local buildings but adapted to suit the smaller width of this site.
  • The front of the building is broken up into clear sections, giving it a natural rhythm without looking busy.
  • The ground floor is designed to feel open and welcoming, with a clear distinction between the street level and the upper floors.

Materials

  • Red brick has been chosen as the main material because it reflects the character of nearby historic buildings.
  • This choice helps the new building blend with its surroundings while still feeling modern.

Facade Details

  • Vertical features give the building a sense of height and elegance.
  • Windows are set back slightly, creating depth and shadow that bring the frontage to life.
  • Subtle brickwork patterns add variety and detail without being overwhelming.

Designing the exterior of the building

The building has been carefully designed to fit in with the surrounding area. We want the building to stand out, with details, quality brick and other materials, but not dominate the street.

Key design features:

  • Windows are set back into the building and framed with brick panels. This adds depth and creates interesting shadows.
  • There is detailed brickwork above the windows for an elegant appearance.
  • The windows are designed to create a balanced appearance, with one-third forming a single section and the remaining portion split into two panels.
  • The ground floor is welcoming, with clear entrances for both the hotel and commercial areas. Open columns mark these entrances and make them easy to find.
  • Details on the building connect it to the style of neighbouring buildings.
  • The same materials are used throughout the project to keep the look consistent and unified.

Facade

  • Pitch of the window bays accentuates the verticality, creating fenestration in keeping with the local vernacular
  • Windows are split 1/3 to 2/3 and overall window area is compact, helping improve solar gain
  • Subtle horizontal detailing ties through with the adjacent building lines
  • Protruding bays, reinforce the vertical visual split across the building.
  • Recessed windows within a panel of brick.
  • Soldier course brick detailing above windows.
  • Ground floor commercial entrance and hotel entrance are formed across exposed columns, with clear signage zones

Servicing and waste management

The development has been carefully planned to ensure servicing is efficient, discreet, and does not impact neighbours or hotel guests.

Key points of the approach:

  • All servicing will be from Cranbrook Road – deliveries and collections will take place at the front of the building, keeping vehicle movements away from the quieter residential areas at the rear.
  • Rear servicing – the rear pathway is private and for fire escape and access to the internal bin store and cycle storage only. It will not be used for storing bins or deliveries. The landscaped garden will remain a quiet, private amenity space for residents and guests.
  • Waste collections managed responsibly – the hotel is a small-scale operation offering continental breakfast only, meaning waste will mostly be dry recycling.
  • Timed collections – waste will be collected at agreed times outside of check-in, check-out, and breakfast hours. This avoids disruption when guests and neighbours are most active.
  • Plant enclosure to the rear – servicing of building systems (e.g. air conditioning) will only be needed occasionally for maintenance, such as six-monthly checks.

Cranbrook Road Consultation 2025

info@cranbrookconsultation.co.uk