DESIGN 7511 - HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTRE alternative 2

Contemporary Scheme

Revised scheme

The clients already agree with the previous scheme. It suits the current design trend and should stand out as a new landmark for the area. The argument that the building will impact the surrounding vegetation is well noted and preserved since day one. It will go into the planning application anytime. Regardless of the good development there is one vital design point that had missed out during the first design stage thus called the design for revision.

The nearby old mills

What is the missing point? The point is that the design lacked in capturing the history of the surrounding building. This is a common problem that happens in designing new buildings within historical neighbourhood. The failure to identify how strong the historical context of the location that demanded the building to be executed within the same scale and language of the surrounding district soon would influence the design decision. There are less possibilities that city council would allow development that is so striking and outstanding from its current heritage area eventhough it already responds to the site and its natural environment.

Therefore, a revised version of facade should be able to :

a. preserve the historic feeling and at the same time highlight the boldness of the new building.

b. Improve the surrounding area.

c. Blend the old and the new design seamlessly.

d. Compose in harmony with the original historic material.

Diagrammatic massing

Hopefully by having this facade transformation it would put the new building into a place that is pleasant, strengthen and enrich the surrounding area. Most of all it would receive planning approval without much criticism!