This design involves the demolition of an outdated conference and leisure centre and the construction of 54 new dwellings with a private health club. The existing twenteith century building sits within the grounds of a Grade 1 listed mansion designed by John Nash and is set within an historic picturesque landscape estate by Humphry Repton. Previous proposals, already granted outline planning permission, had raised concerns due to their modern architectural approach and Robert Adam Architects were asked to create a design that was more in keeping with the historic nature of the site.

The proposals retain a philosophy of three ‘pavilion’ buildings and adapt the concept to create a stronger relationship with the existing formal garden terraces. The architecture takes inspiration from the nineteenth century conservatory designed by Henry Ormson, which once stood on the site. The highly glazed southern facade is composed of an open portico of terraces, screened by a fine colonnade of ‘narrow order’ columns, providing shade from the summer sun, whilst maximising views and solar gains. Detail is purposely understated, in order to respect the Nash mansion and to reflect the ‘industrial’ nature of nineteenth century conservatory architecture. Set behind is an internal courtyard with less ornate elevations, providing a simple domestic backdrop. The Tower House is a stand alone dwelling, designed as a ‘folly’ within the picturesque landscape in accordance with the original philosophy of the Repton landscape. This 4-storey house has an octagonal tower form, evocative of English picturesque garden architecture.

The designs sensitively integrate a ‘modern traditional’ building into the picturesque Repton landscape, without ‘competing’ with the Grade I listed Nash Mansion house and the Coach House located nearby.