London-based architecture firm Baca Architects has received planning permission for a new hotel & spa in South Yorkshire, the new building will be the UK’s visionary new eco resort with its sinuous structure that is conceived as a sequence of landscape elements in the new development area. 

Developed by Rothgen Group, the £25 million Tyram Lakes Hotel and Spa will be built in South Yorkshire and be operated by Campbell Gray Hotels. The project is part of a wider eco development around a series of lakes - the legacy of extractive industry – located in a 165-acre woodland site. 

15 eco lodges, currently under construction, will float amongst reed beds at the side of the western lake and, when completed, the hotel and spa will serve lodge residents as well as their own guests.

"The approach to the hotel is conceived as a sequence of landscape elements creating a grand approach through tree-lined vistas. These vistas will incorporate wayfinding sustainable drainage features signalling the transition from daily life to eco-luxury retreat," said Baca Architects. 

A three-storey reception atrium is the heart of the hotel linking the upper guestroom levels with the movement of visitors around and between reception, bar and dining, spa areas and the lakes themselves. 

Tall pod features with wooden slatted louvres will screen the amenity stair and the touch down work areas of the business lounges, whilst galleried bridges and lift lobbies will overlook both the activity below and the longer views across the lakes. The curved dining room has its own terrace and overlooks the lake. 

The sinuous building form wraps around the lake like waves on water and is divided into facetted bedroom and balcony units whilst being screened by a series of horizontal stone-coloured external shading and balustrade louvres.

"We have created a piece of living sculpture that flows around the edge of the lake. Together with the floating lodges, the whole complex will be the first of its kind in the UK and a centrepiece in the growing attraction of South Yorkshire and the North," said Richard Coutts, Director of Baca Architects.

The hotel is planned to cater for a range of conferences, meetings and weddings. Accessed through a dedicated entrance, the generous function rooms overlook the lake and activity can spill out onto lakeside terraces. 

The spa complex includes a 20-metre pool, discrete treatment rooms with quiet lake views, a fully equipped gymnasium and sauna and steam rooms.

A rooftop bar and terrace will offer truly panoramic views of the natural landscape of the Tyram site and the adjoining Humberhead Peatlands’ and Hatfield Moors’ nature reserves. 

The hotel has 104 rooms and will be designed to a high environmental standard (a minimum of BREEAM Very Good).  As part of the regeneration of South Yorkshire and the Humberside region, the hotel is just 15 minutes away from the Doncaster Sheffield airport.

"We hired Baca to unlock the potential of the hotel site following their work on the nearby eco lodges. Their commitment to designing with water enabled them to produce a design which embraced the delight of being next to the lakes whiles incorporating a strong flood risk strategy, and the scheme was unanimously passed by the Planning Committee," said Alex Pearce of Rothgen, commenting on the collaboration with Baca Architects.

The long-term vision for Tyram Lakes Resort is to develop a total of 100 plus lakeside and floating lodges as well as lodges placed within the woodlands.

All images courtesy of Baca Architects

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