From the moment we visited Lower Marsh to talk about the Unwined fit-out and were introduced to the space intended for the rear terrace we knew the site had enormous potential.
We envisioned a hidden gem, set back from the hustle and bustle of the Lower Marsh thoroughfare a little oasis of greenness and calm nestled behind the hotel and restaurant, a place you would find by accident but want to return to again and again.
The brief was to design a covered space for use throughout the year and this got us thinking of some lovely cafes and restaurants where plants and greenery are at the forefront.
We considered how best to support the installation of planting by providing an economic and flexible framework, using tactile, earthy materials and a fabrication method that would support making in the workshop and installation on site.
Modular design – material choice
Settling on a modular design we created a grid-based structure formed from a repeating bay that varied it’s structural elements as it was transposed throughout the design.
The structure consists of three main elements; a truss roof constructed from overlaid treated timber batons with a polycarbonate covering sited on two parallel walls to provide our sheltered area.
Settling on a modular design we created a grid-based structure formed from a repeating bay that varied it’s structural elements as it was transposed throughout the design.
The structure consists of three main elements; a truss roof constructed from overlaid treated timber batons with a polycarbonate covering sited on two parallel walls to provide our sheltered area.
One deep wall against the railway arch comprised of modular treated timber cassettes, planters, benches and structural shelves provided a stable footing to sit the roof on whilst adding seating and lots of opportunity for plants to find a foothold.
A second wall next to the hotel and restaurant building was formed from large section treated timber columns, with benches and planters in between anchoring the columns to the ground and providing more planting and seating space.
The structure consists of three main elements; a truss roof constructed from overlaid treated timber batons with a polycarbonate covering sited on two parallel walls to provide our sheltered area.
One deep wall against the railway arch comprised of modular treated timber cassettes, planters, benches and structural shelves provided a stable footing to sit the roof on whilst adding seating and lots of opportunity for plants to find a foothold.
A second wall next to the hotel and restaurant building was formed from large section treated timber columns, with benches and planters in between anchoring the columns to the ground and providing more planting and seating space.
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Service buildings
As the project progressed we were asked to include two service structures to the design, a wine store to bolster the restaurant’s cellar and a bin store to screen the combined waste of the restaurant and hotel.
To extend the material language we opted to clad the two sheds in treated timber weatherboarding and to increase the durability we painted it, black.
To extend the material language we opted to clad the two sheds in treated timber weatherboarding and to increase the durability we painted it, black.
Installation
The modular design and pre-planning for the installation made work on site flow smoothly and progress swift.
With the entire Co-DB team on site we had the truss wall, columns and frames for the wine and bin store up on day 1.
Day 2 saw the roof trusses, shelf supports and planters go in, with insulation and plywood sheeting to the wine and bin store installed.
Day 3 and the polycarbonate covered the truss roof whilst the wine and bin store was clad with weatherboarding then painted.
With the entire Co-DB team on site we had the truss wall, columns and frames for the wine and bin store up on day 1.
Day 2 saw the roof trusses, shelf supports and planters go in, with insulation and plywood sheeting to the wine and bin store installed.
Day 3 and the polycarbonate covered the truss roof whilst the wine and bin store was clad with weatherboarding then painted.
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Conclusion
We had a great time creating the design for the rear terrace, making up the modules in the workshop then getting onsite for a big build day and were really pleased with the covered space we delivered for Unwined.
Head down to 137-139 Lower Marsh and take a look at the interior and exterior fitout, they are open for business and the weather is just starting to look a bit nicer.
Head down to 137-139 Lower Marsh and take a look at the interior and exterior fitout, they are open for business and the weather is just starting to look a bit nicer.