Purcell Miller Tritton has been commissioned by the Dorchester Collection to create an eco-luxury spa as part of a hotel development at Coworth Park. The building will be buried within the natural contours of the landscape, emerging on the north side of the site under a living roof of chamomile, lavender and thyme. This pioneering design will meet two key aspirations of the client: the building's volume and footprint will be kept to a minimum and the spa will be intimately related to its sensitive green belt setting.
Commanding exceptional views across the estate and the woodlands beyond, the spa will offer a pool, gymnasium, three thermal rooms, ten treatment rooms and a terrace oriented to make the most of the natural sun path from morning to dusk. A timber glulam monocoque frame and lime hemp walling will contribute to the spa's carbon negative design, and a biomass boiler and closed loop ground water heat transfer system will provide approximately 50% of the spa's energy demand. The green agenda will be carried through the entire spa, down to the furniture, fittings and equipment to create a truly eco-luxury environment.