together apart

This contemporary addition to a classic entertainment venue celebrates its differences but finds connections through scale and materials

Exterior view of the sandstone hall architecture, evening, home, house, light, light fixture, lighting, real estate, reflection, residential area, sky, street light, sunlight, tree, water, yellow, brown — Exterior view of the sandstone hall

Exterior view of the sandstone hall - Exterior architecture, evening, home, house, light, light fixture, lighting, real estate, reflection, residential area, sky, street light, sunlight, tree, water, yellow, brown

Exterior view of the hall features many lights architecture, condominium, home, house, lighting, real estate, brown

Exterior view of the hall walkway - Exterior apartment, architecture, building, condominium, estate, evening, home, house, lighting, mixed use, night, real estate, reflection, window, brown

View of the exterior which features many lights architecture, building, city, estate, evening, facade, home, hotel, house, landscape lighting, light, lighting, mixed use, night, real estate, reflection, sky, brown

View of the interior which features dining furniture interior design, restaurant, wall, window, black

View of the dining hall - View of banquet, ceremony, dining room, function hall, interior design, restaurant, black

Interior view of the dining hall - Interior ceremony, chair, dining room, function hall, furniture, interior design, restaurant, table, black

Close-up of the unique sink design - Close-up architecture, countertop, floor, flooring, sink, brown, orange

Extending reception options at an entertainment venue set in an historic structure can be tricky. Often the existing building has to retain its original integrity, and then there is the question of introducing a separate addition that looks the part. One response is to create a distinctly modern yet complementary design.

The addition of Lady Mary's Pavilion to Curzon Hall, a 1900s castle appropriated as a reception venue, was undertaken by Tanner Architects, with David Sutherland as project architect.

"Much thought was given to the new building's setting," says Sutherland. "The previous largest event room in Curzon Hall catered for 150, but the new pavilion had to hold 300 and with these larger numbers came a council requirement for an additional 110 car parks. Our solution was to design two levels of basement car parking and then build Lady Mary's Pavilion over the top."

Close-up of the unique sink design architecture, countertop, floor, flooring, sink, brown, orange — Close-up of the unique sink design

The pavilion is reached from Curzon Hall via a small bridge and colonnade that separates the old and the new. The large, airy space and connecting walkway have an angular, clean-lined aesthetic but tie back to the hall through a sympathetic use of sandstone and a sympathy of scale the roof line of the pavilion is aligned with the balustrade of the hall.

The pavilion's simple design achieves both optimum functionality and a dramatic aesthetic. Solid walls on the street and residential side of the building allow for acoustic separation and placement of services. However, the side facing Curzon Hall is a picture of floor-to-ceiling glass. The glazed walls and clerestory windows on all sides of the building ensure the new reception space is bathed in natural light.

The windows look out to the landscaped gardens and back to Curzon Hall. Those approaching along the promenade have a preview of the gracious interiors.

Interior view of the dining hall ceremony, chair, dining room, function hall, furniture, interior design, restaurant, table, black — Interior view of the dining hall

"With its lofty ceilings, high-tech functionality and opulent interior featuring ornate screen grilles, the venue provides a contrasting yet complementary response to the beautiful old hall," Sutherland says.

Story by: Trendsideas

14 Sep, 2010

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