Sculptural Burgh Island hotel suite will be suspended over the water
by Kim Megson | 15 Feb 2016
British architects Carmody Groarke will build a luxury hotel suite suspended over the sea on an isolated tidal island.
The London studio are the winners of a RIBA competition to create the building – an extension of an existing Art Deco hotel – on Burgh Island in South Devon, UK.
Four practices proposed designs for the dramatic headline site, which is cut off from the mainland twice each day when the tide comes in, but Carmody Groarke won over the judging panel with their vision for a curving, sculptural grass-roofed volume extending from the cliffs and connecting two rocky outcrops.
“Their proposal provides a poetic response that would make a positive contribution to the landscape and drama of the setting, whilst providing an appropriately unforgettable and luxurious experience for guests,” said the judging panel in a statement.
Carmody Groarke will now develop the project with consulting structural engineers Price & Myer and developers Burgh Island Ltd.
The other three firms in the running were de Rijke Marsh Morgan Architects, Featherstone Young Architects and Threefold Architects.
The Grade II listed Burgh Island Hotel was built in 1929 and has become a local landmark for its early 20th century Art Deco stylings. It was recently renovated by owners Burgh Island Ltd, who described the hotel as “magical, momentous and uplifting in turns.”
The new suite will look out to sea and down towards the hotel’s outdoor seawater Mermaid Pool and private beach.
A budget for the extension has yet to be revealed.
RIBA Burgh Island Art Deco Devon hotels architecture design Carmody Groarke
The grass-roofed suite will appear to extend out from the cliffs Credit: Carmody Groarke
Carmody Groarke were praised for their 'poetic' design submission Credit: Carmody Groarke
Burgh Island is separated from the Devon mainland by the tide twice a day Credit: Richard Downer
The Grade II listed Burgh Island Hotel was built in 1929 and has become a local landmark for its early 20th century Art Deco stylings Credit: Richard Downer
The new suite will look down on the hotel's private seawater pool Credit: Roger Knowles
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British architects Carmody Groarke will build a luxury hotel suite suspended over the sea on an isolated tidal island. The London studio are the winners of a RIBA competition to create the building – an extension of an existing Art Deco hotel – on Burgh Island in South Devon, UK. Four practices proposed designs for the dramatic headline site, which is cut off from the mainland twice each day when
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