PROJECT REPORT: HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & BARS
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Bringing clarity
There are guest rooms in all of the three buildings, and the common spaces and circulation spaces have been designed to connect the ground floors of all three as effectively one building. The architects did not retain many of the internal walls added during the previous renovation, but retained the floors ‘as is.’
While a lot of the internal layout was “pretty new,” says Grzywinski, some of the pre-existing layout was retained, notably in the attic/top floor space. However below this, many partitions and ceilings needed removing to provide a clearer layout, and at the same time benefit from the considerable qualities of the underlying structure. “They had not really considered the building last time, they had things like walls in the middle of fenestration, strange things like that.” While most of the original windows were retained (a requirement on the listed Central House), some secondary glazing had to be added to provide the necessary thermal and acoustic performance. A large part of the project was to make the layout of the ground floor as legible as possible, to help guests find their way around, and introduce a freer-flowing
ADF MAY 2019
circulation. In addition, accessibility requirements were placed to the fore, for example in addressing the various level changes across the ground floor of the three buildings, including the basement level of the Johnson Building, which accommodates guest rooms overlooking the canal. “We made changes so that the small steps or ramps are not so conspicuous any more, and are part of the smoother flow,” explains Grzywinski. In the case of the rooms along the canal, some of the floor was removed to create new egress to help clarify the layout, and aid navigation. The layout of guest rooms in upper levels in each of the three buildings was also done with a focus on legibility, as well as aspects like fire separation. “By virtue of the fact that it’s three buildings with so much character, it was a bit of a challenge making the wayfinding, signage and navigating work.”
Atrium & thresholds
Matthew Grzywinski says striking the balance between “interfering” with old structures and ensuring they were rescued for future public as well as hotel use was serving a self-evident need: “You always feel
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FACING PAGE
Central House, built in the Scottish Baronial style, flanks the newly opened-up atrium space of Galbraith Street, with Dominion House on the other side
ABOVE The bar area within the new atrium
You always feel like you’re walking on eggshells doing something to an old property, but I felt we were doing a real service to this building by ripping everything out of there
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