Scarlet Hotel bathroom behind the bed (that has a view)

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The Scarlet Hotel have maximised the space and superbly put the bathroom behind the beds, so that you look out over the wall, over the bed, out the window and over the beach and sea 🙂

Even if you only pop in for a drink, do go by the Scarlet Hotel / Bar / Restuarant / Spa ….  http://www.scarlethotel.co.uk/

I should this week be going to a talk by Surfers Against Sewage founder Chris Hines, who worked with the Scarlet creation team:

Along with Alistair Sawday, Chris Hines was a key part of a small team who brain stormed the sustainability and function of the Scarlet Hotel. The end result is wonderful!
– http://www.agos.co/working.html

16 Nov 2011 – Update / Extra bit

Saw this picture (below) and thought there could be a wall behind the bed (that faces the view) that has a window with glass, or a cut out hole through from the bathroom behind the bed.

Also, another pic in the direction of the bathroom behind the bed. Taken from a house in Camps Bay, Cape Town:

I assume this bed has a bathroom behind the wall and that it has a view:

Como Bed modern bedroom
CCS ARCHITECTURE modern bedroom
Natura Night Stand modern bedroom

 

8th March 2012 – Update / Extra bit

Robert and I visited The Scarlet to have a look at the general architecture, features and to rough measure up the rooms. To see if some of the concepts will fit for the 2nd bedroom at Silver Spray.

Bedrooms 2 & 3 at Silver Spray are quite a bit narrower than the Scarlet – approx 3.2m v 3.8m (in the Scarlet), but I think will just about work.

Note position of the towel rail and mirror by the sink.

If 3 stories, have to enclose the stairway

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The chap from Potton has pointed out that current regulations mean that if you have 3 floors you have to enclose the stairway so that there is a “30-minute fire resistant partition with fire doors to enclose and extend the escape route to a final exit”.

There is the alternative that:

You can provide sprinkler protection to the open-plan area in accordance with BS9251: 2005, in conjunction with a fire resisting partition and door (FD20 / E20) positioned to separate the ground floor from the upper storeys. This door should be so arranged to allow the occupants of the loft room(s) to access an escape window at first floor level in event of a fire in the open-plan area. Cooking facilities must however in all cases be separated from the open-plan area with 30 minute fire – resisting construction.

BUT, it is a safety concept. A ground floor fire could push smoke up through the house. So an enclosed stairway is a safety feature.  How about a door at the top of the stairs, so that it is open plan onto the stairs at the ground floor?

What to do, with who ????

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I’ve got a shortlist of 4 companies to work with for this project.

Each have now met with me, some more than once. Each have seen the site. Each have gone over my folder of ideas that range from my sketches to look and feel pictures. They’ve also all looked at this site.

Each have come back with varying costs to come up with initial ideas (sketches) and to use those to come up with project costings.

To help them with this, the site survey for levels etc. is being commissioned.

Cornwall based Eco House have built some stunning local projects. As with all 4 companies, I liked the feel of the meetings and chats we have had to date. They are charging a sub £1,000 fee (+VAT) to come up with initial ideas and costings for the project. They report a cost of  £2,000 /m2 for a full design, and build.

Facit Homes have come back with the most detailed initial proposal on how they would come up with sketches etc. Of the 4, it is also the most expensive, but it would give more than the others are suggesting in terms of taking ideas further. The proposal would be enough for an initial consultation with the local planning authority. It does seem that their construction method(s) would have the lowest construction environmental impact. Talking to them, their properties tend to cost £1,700 to £2,000 per sq metre.

Hanse House are charging less than Eco House and will have 2 of them spend the day with me next week. From that they’ll come up with their sketches and costings. They say that excluding foundations their houses with everything except the kitchens (ie incl light switches, paint, floors, bathrooms etc.) they tend to cost around £1,400 psm (per sq metre).

  • When I visited a Hanse House in construction, I was put off by the level of polystyrene, foam guns etc. in the materials. They have a great reputation for the end product energy efficiency, but I’m not comfortable with their decisions on construction materials.
  • Construction (embodied) Energy Vs Operational Energy

Potton are also waiting for the site survey and are then going to come back with initial sketches etc. and costings based on that. They say that their houses tend to come in with everything for around £1,250 psm

It’s an interesting period of almost 2 many choices that seem to fit into 4 categories:

  • Layout and design.
  • Environmental impact of the build process.
  • Ongoing environmental impact of the house once it is up and “running”.
  • Cost of these aspects.

 

The Potton "Lighthouse"

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The Potton (now owned by Kingspan) Lighthouse project looks stunning.

I’m wondering if this could be flipped so the flat face has windows and faces the sea. Also make it thicker / deeper from front to back.

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