Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2013 Houzz
Inspiration for a transitional home design remodel in Other

Find the perfect place to stay with all comforts and luxuries in hotel Americas Best Value Inn Houston. Houston is the largest city of Texas and provides many tourist places and attractions. This city welcomes thousands of visitors every year. Hotel Americas Best Value Inn is a magnificent hotel near Houston International Airport. This elegant hotel is one of the best and desired hotels of the city. Guests will find comfort and relaxation in the peaceful atmosphere of the hotel.

Allgreen is proud to be part of the recent development of Hauser & Wirth Somerset - a pioneering world-class gallery of sculptural works and art from famous artists, beautifully presented in a grade 2 listed group of farm buildings. Products supplied include CARREG Selfbinda Reclaim Blend was created using reclaimed crushed stone from some of the derelict stone barns and blended with selected aggregates to form the carparks and roadways that carry the thousands of visitors the gallery attracts annually. The bespoke blending of the CARREG Selfbinda Forest Marble Grey Limestone and the margin aggregates used in the cloister inner courtyard area, were made to match the existing walls to create a rustic but also clean and practical gravel effect. FONTE Keinton Blue Lias Stable Yard Cobbles silently direct vehicle parking in carefully measured parking demarcation, designed to blend in with the selfbinding surface. A unique car parking surface in the main carpark area was created using Precast Agri Concrete Pig Slats with rough cast finish inlaid with EGRO Premium Blend Soil 10mm and overseeded. Over behind the gallery lies a meadow created by the internationally renowned Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf, boasting thousands of beautiful perennials planted into fabulous sculptured planting beds created with EGRO Medium Soil and EGRO premium Blend 10mm Soil. Meticulously maintained grass paths meander between the inspiring planting creations. EGRO Topdressing Soil is regularly worked into the lawns to revitalise and improve the drainage to cope with the demands of this sought-after tourist attraction. The use of EGRO Grower Bark and EGRO Multipurpose Compost provides natural moisture retaining properties, providing the thousands of plants with natural protection and dramatically reducing the ingress of weeds.

Allgreen is proud to be part of the recent development of Hauser & Wirth Somerset - a pioneering world-class gallery of sculptural works and art from famous artists, beautifully presented in a grade 2 listed group of farm buildings. Products supplied include CARREG Selfbinda Reclaim Blend was created using reclaimed crushed stone from some of the derelict stone barns and blended with selected aggregates to form the carparks and roadways that carry the thousands of visitors the gallery attracts annually. The bespoke blending of the CARREG Selfbinda Forest Marble Grey Limestone and the margin aggregates used in the cloister inner courtyard area, were made to match the existing walls to create a rustic but also clean and practical gravel effect. FONTE Keinton Blue Lias Stable Yard Cobbles silently direct vehicle parking in carefully measured parking demarcation, designed to blend in with the selfbinding surface. A unique car parking surface in the main carpark area was created using Precast Agri Concrete Pig Slats with rough cast finish inlaid with EGRO Premium Blend Soil 10mm and overseeded. Over behind the gallery lies a meadow created by the internationally renowned Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf, boasting thousands of beautiful perennials planted into fabulous sculptured planting beds created with EGRO Medium Soil and EGRO premium Blend 10mm Soil. Meticulously maintained grass paths meander between the inspiring planting creations. EGRO Topdressing Soil is regularly worked into the lawns to revitalise and improve the drainage to cope with the demands of this sought-after tourist attraction. The use of EGRO Grower Bark and EGRO Multipurpose Compost provides natural moisture retaining properties, providing the thousands of plants with natural protection and dramatically reducing the ingress of weeds.

Allgreen is proud to be part of the recent development of Hauser & Wirth Somerset - a pioneering world-class gallery of sculptural works and art from famous artists, beautifully presented in a grade 2 listed group of farm buildings. Products supplied include CARREG Selfbinda Reclaim Blend was created using reclaimed crushed stone from some of the derelict stone barns and blended with selected aggregates to form the carparks and roadways that carry the thousands of visitors the gallery attracts annually. The bespoke blending of the CARREG Selfbinda Forest Marble Grey Limestone and the margin aggregates used in the cloister inner courtyard area, were made to match the existing walls to create a rustic but also clean and practical gravel effect. FONTE Keinton Blue Lias Stable Yard Cobbles silently direct vehicle parking in carefully measured parking demarcation, designed to blend in with the selfbinding surface. A unique car parking surface in the main carpark area was created using Precast Agri Concrete Pig Slats with rough cast finish inlaid with EGRO Premium Blend Soil 10mm and overseeded. Over behind the gallery lies a meadow created by the internationally renowned Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf, boasting thousands of beautiful perennials planted into fabulous sculptured planting beds created with EGRO Medium Soil and EGRO premium Blend 10mm Soil. Meticulously maintained grass paths meander between the inspiring planting creations. EGRO Topdressing Soil is regularly worked into the lawns to revitalise and improve the drainage to cope with the demands of this sought-after tourist attraction. The use of EGRO Grower Bark and EGRO Multipurpose Compost provides natural moisture retaining properties, providing the thousands of plants with natural protection and dramatically reducing the ingress of weeds.

Allgreen is proud to be part of the recent development of Hauser & Wirth Somerset - a pioneering world-class gallery of sculptural works and art from famous artists, beautifully presented in a grade 2 listed group of farm buildings. Products supplied include CARREG Selfbinda Reclaim Blend was created using reclaimed crushed stone from some of the derelict stone barns and blended with selected aggregates to form the carparks and roadways that carry the thousands of visitors the gallery attracts annually. The bespoke blending of the CARREG Selfbinda Forest Marble Grey Limestone and the margin aggregates used in the cloister inner courtyard area, were made to match the existing walls to create a rustic but also clean and practical gravel effect. FONTE Keinton Blue Lias Stable Yard Cobbles silently direct vehicle parking in carefully measured parking demarcation, designed to blend in with the selfbinding surface. A unique car parking surface in the main carpark area was created using Precast Agri Concrete Pig Slats with rough cast finish inlaid with EGRO Premium Blend Soil 10mm and overseeded. Over behind the gallery lies a meadow created by the internationally renowned Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf, boasting thousands of beautiful perennials planted into fabulous sculptured planting beds created with EGRO Medium Soil and EGRO premium Blend 10mm Soil. Meticulously maintained grass paths meander between the inspiring planting creations. EGRO Topdressing Soil is regularly worked into the lawns to revitalise and improve the drainage to cope with the demands of this sought-after tourist attraction. The use of EGRO Grower Bark and EGRO Multipurpose Compost provides natural moisture retaining properties, providing the thousands of plants with natural protection and dramatically reducing the ingress of weeds.

Allgreen is proud to be part of the recent development of Hauser & Wirth Somerset - a pioneering world-class gallery of sculptural works and art from famous artists, beautifully presented in a grade 2 listed group of farm buildings. Products supplied include CARREG Selfbinda Reclaim Blend was created using reclaimed crushed stone from some of the derelict stone barns and blended with selected aggregates to form the carparks and roadways that carry the thousands of visitors the gallery attracts annually. The bespoke blending of the CARREG Selfbinda Forest Marble Grey Limestone and the margin aggregates used in the cloister inner courtyard area, were made to match the existing walls to create a rustic but also clean and practical gravel effect. FONTE Keinton Blue Lias Stable Yard Cobbles silently direct vehicle parking in carefully measured parking demarcation, designed to blend in with the selfbinding surface. A unique car parking surface in the main carpark area was created using Precast Agri Concrete Pig Slats with rough cast finish inlaid with EGRO Premium Blend Soil 10mm and overseeded. Over behind the gallery lies a meadow created by the internationally renowned Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf, boasting thousands of beautiful perennials planted into fabulous sculptured planting beds created with EGRO Medium Soil and EGRO premium Blend 10mm Soil. Meticulously maintained grass paths meander between the inspiring planting creations. EGRO Topdressing Soil is regularly worked into the lawns to revitalise and improve the drainage to cope with the demands of this sought-after tourist attraction. The use of EGRO Grower Bark and EGRO Multipurpose Compost provides natural moisture retaining properties, providing the thousands of plants with natural protection and dramatically reducing the ingress of weeds.

In today’s fast-paced life full of stress and never-ending work pressure, the value of recreation is ever increasing. Travel and leisure trips form a major part in this realm of recreation. While talking about tourism in India, it is concluded that it is not only the pristine beauty of the country that attracts tourists but also the varying seasons all throughout the nation and the mere vibrancy of the culture. It is hence a prerogative to develop facilities that leave the best picture of the hospitality and rich heritage of India and also provide the utmost level of relaxation and tranquillity. The Wow Hotel in Indore by Designers Group, drawing its inspiration from quintessentially Indian elements, is a perfect example of a leisure destination that showcases the beauty of the Indian culture. Located in the heart of one of the most vibrant states of this beautiful nation, Madhya Pradesh, this stunning 5-star property displays elements inspired by the national bird of India, the peacock. This sets the property apart from the usual local context which has properties by international brands that follow a subtle and plain standard look. The concept was devised through elaborate research which lead to the discovery of the fact that the population of peacocks in the area, which was once in abundance, has disappeared due to real estate development in the area. This was an attempt to revive the memory and legacy of the area and the peacock population in the area. The client brief was very simple and straight-forward in this case. As the property already had a group of buildings primarily built as a mixed-use structure with an integrated budget hotel, the client wanted a change in the interior architecture and removal of the commercial aspect that can convert the whole establishment into a premium luxury hotel. Right from the initial stages, the development of the design was done in a manner that gives the architecture a hip design language. This was important because of the fact that the client wanted an inquisitive catchment which was visible from a considerable distance. The façade of the hotel is inspired by the national bird “Peacock”. As this was an existing floor plate, glazing was selected as the main material to redo the façade. Since the already existing room sizes were compact, glazing proved to be a great solution as it could fetch the extra inches required to increase the room size. The major design notion was to achieve a staggered profile for the façade in order to avoid the design turning into a typical commercial look of a glass façade. The glazing was broken randomly at regular intervals breaking the monotony in the building profile. As the building was exposed to the sunlight, tinted glass was opted, conferring onto a classier look while adding a glamorous element to the façade. Eye of a peacock is replicated through vertical light profiles Dwelling into the process, a plan compliant with luxury hotel operations was clearly absent. Considering the footfall pattern of the target audience and brands, a huge potential for banquets was unearthed. The commercial block was hence converted completely into banquets. Another major obstacle that came across during the drastic zoning interventions was the floor to floor height in the commercial block. Hence, the alternate slabs were cut to create double-height spaces appropriate for a banquet hall. An inconspicuous connection was created between the main hotel block and the banquets for easy access. As the rooms were meant for a budget hotel, a major constraint in the design process was the revaluation and rebuilding of the room layouts from scratch and accommodating them into the present structure. All ranges of rooms were accommodated along with the vertical shafts and services. Customised digital art wallpaper inspired by the concept of Peacocks, adorn the walls of the rooms further upholding the concept. Apart from changing the basic layout to increase room area, a conscious effort was made while designing structural glazing that made it possible for the designer to encapsulate as much room space as possible. Rooms were placed intuitively on upper levels to maintain the privacy factor. Since it was an atrium property, the open to air atrium was covered with a tensile structure. As the ground floor of the hotel block consisted of the main lobby, reception and the coffee shop and the upper level being the service floor, regulated acoustical treatment was done on the ground floor to intercept and negate the noise that might potentially travel to the occupant rooms. The dead wall of the atrium received special attention and was used to create a beautiful rendition of a peacock inspired artwork. The lounge baron the first floor of the banquet block, named Twilight, was planned in such a manner that it can be used as individual entertainment space as well as part of the whole hotel. A stunning feature of this lounge bar is the huge console table at the welcome point that consisted of owl figurines in varying sizes curated from different sources. An exquisite artwork that represents a constellation with the peacock blue colour in the lounge is another exemplary feature. The lighting and colour palette along with the furniture was very ingeniously devised to make individual statements and still be part of a holistic narrative of the concept. Muted colours were paired with vibrant flashes and accents in hues that can be seen in a peacock feather. Symbolic chairs in the lobby were specially placed in lieu of creating the colloquial “selfie points” as the impact of social media is humongous. The overall design showcases the intelligent use of indigenous materials and cost-effective locally-sourced design elements that makes the design rich with heritage. The factor of sustainability was also considered and smart usage of solar panels was planned. Hence, the Wow Hotel is a magnificent establishment that is artistically designed and functionally developed using indigenous materials and cost-effective solutions.

Allgreen is proud to be part of the recent development of Hauser & Wirth Somerset - a pioneering world-class gallery of sculptural works and art from famous artists, beautifully presented in a grade 2 listed group of farm buildings. Products supplied include CARREG Selfbinda Reclaim Blend was created using reclaimed crushed stone from some of the derelict stone barns and blended with selected aggregates to form the carparks and roadways that carry the thousands of visitors the gallery attracts annually. The bespoke blending of the CARREG Selfbinda Forest Marble Grey Limestone and the margin aggregates used in the cloister inner courtyard area, were made to match the existing walls to create a rustic but also clean and practical gravel effect. FONTE Keinton Blue Lias Stable Yard Cobbles silently direct vehicle parking in carefully measured parking demarcation, designed to blend in with the selfbinding surface. A unique car parking surface in the main carpark area was created using Precast Agri Concrete Pig Slats with rough cast finish inlaid with EGRO Premium Blend Soil 10mm and overseeded. Over behind the gallery lies a meadow created by the internationally renowned Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf, boasting thousands of beautiful perennials planted into fabulous sculptured planting beds created with EGRO Medium Soil and EGRO premium Blend 10mm Soil. Meticulously maintained grass paths meander between the inspiring planting creations. EGRO Topdressing Soil is regularly worked into the lawns to revitalise and improve the drainage to cope with the demands of this sought-after tourist attraction. The use of EGRO Grower Bark and EGRO Multipurpose Compost provides natural moisture retaining properties, providing the thousands of plants with natural protection and dramatically reducing the ingress of weeds.

Allgreen is proud to be part of the recent development of Hauser & Wirth Somerset - a pioneering world-class gallery of sculptural works and art from famous artists, beautifully presented in a grade 2 listed group of farm buildings. Products supplied include CARREG Selfbinda Reclaim Blend was created using reclaimed crushed stone from some of the derelict stone barns and blended with selected aggregates to form the carparks and roadways that carry the thousands of visitors the gallery attracts annually. The bespoke blending of the CARREG Selfbinda Forest Marble Grey Limestone and the margin aggregates used in the cloister inner courtyard area, were made to match the existing walls to create a rustic but also clean and practical gravel effect. FONTE Keinton Blue Lias Stable Yard Cobbles silently direct vehicle parking in carefully measured parking demarcation, designed to blend in with the selfbinding surface. A unique car parking surface in the main carpark area was created using Precast Agri Concrete Pig Slats with rough cast finish inlaid with EGRO Premium Blend Soil 10mm and overseeded. Over behind the gallery lies a meadow created by the internationally renowned Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf, boasting thousands of beautiful perennials planted into fabulous sculptured planting beds created with EGRO Medium Soil and EGRO premium Blend 10mm Soil. Meticulously maintained grass paths meander between the inspiring planting creations. EGRO Topdressing Soil is regularly worked into the lawns to revitalise and improve the drainage to cope with the demands of this sought-after tourist attraction. The use of EGRO Grower Bark and EGRO Multipurpose Compost provides natural moisture retaining properties, providing the thousands of plants with natural protection and dramatically reducing the ingress of weeds.

Allgreen is proud to be part of the recent development of Hauser & Wirth Somerset - a pioneering world-class gallery of sculptural works and art from famous artists, beautifully presented in a grade 2 listed group of farm buildings. Products supplied include CARREG Selfbinda Reclaim Blend was created using reclaimed crushed stone from some of the derelict stone barns and blended with selected aggregates to form the carparks and roadways that carry the thousands of visitors the gallery attracts annually. The bespoke blending of the CARREG Selfbinda Forest Marble Grey Limestone and the margin aggregates used in the cloister inner courtyard area, were made to match the existing walls to create a rustic but also clean and practical gravel effect. FONTE Keinton Blue Lias Stable Yard Cobbles silently direct vehicle parking in carefully measured parking demarcation, designed to blend in with the selfbinding surface. A unique car parking surface in the main carpark area was created using Precast Agri Concrete Pig Slats with rough cast finish inlaid with EGRO Premium Blend Soil 10mm and overseeded. Over behind the gallery lies a meadow created by the internationally renowned Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf, boasting thousands of beautiful perennials planted into fabulous sculptured planting beds created with EGRO Medium Soil and EGRO premium Blend 10mm Soil. Meticulously maintained grass paths meander between the inspiring planting creations. EGRO Topdressing Soil is regularly worked into the lawns to revitalise and improve the drainage to cope with the demands of this sought-after tourist attraction. The use of EGRO Grower Bark and EGRO Multipurpose Compost provides natural moisture retaining properties, providing the thousands of plants with natural protection and dramatically reducing the ingress of weeds.

Allgreen is proud to be part of the recent development of Hauser & Wirth Somerset - a pioneering world-class gallery of sculptural works and art from famous artists, beautifully presented in a grade 2 listed group of farm buildings. Products supplied include CARREG Selfbinda Reclaim Blend was created using reclaimed crushed stone from some of the derelict stone barns and blended with selected aggregates to form the carparks and roadways that carry the thousands of visitors the gallery attracts annually. The bespoke blending of the CARREG Selfbinda Forest Marble Grey Limestone and the margin aggregates used in the cloister inner courtyard area, were made to match the existing walls to create a rustic but also clean and practical gravel effect. FONTE Keinton Blue Lias Stable Yard Cobbles silently direct vehicle parking in carefully measured parking demarcation, designed to blend in with the selfbinding surface. A unique car parking surface in the main carpark area was created using Precast Agri Concrete Pig Slats with rough cast finish inlaid with EGRO Premium Blend Soil 10mm and overseeded. Over behind the gallery lies a meadow created by the internationally renowned Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf, boasting thousands of beautiful perennials planted into fabulous sculptured planting beds created with EGRO Medium Soil and EGRO premium Blend 10mm Soil. Meticulously maintained grass paths meander between the inspiring planting creations. EGRO Topdressing Soil is regularly worked into the lawns to revitalise and improve the drainage to cope with the demands of this sought-after tourist attraction. The use of EGRO Grower Bark and EGRO Multipurpose Compost provides natural moisture retaining properties, providing the thousands of plants with natural protection and dramatically reducing the ingress of weeds.

Allgreen is proud to be part of the recent development of Hauser & Wirth Somerset - a pioneering world-class gallery of sculptural works and art from famous artists, beautifully presented in a grade 2 listed group of farm buildings. Products supplied include CARREG Selfbinda Reclaim Blend was created using reclaimed crushed stone from some of the derelict stone barns and blended with selected aggregates to form the carparks and roadways that carry the thousands of visitors the gallery attracts annually. The bespoke blending of the CARREG Selfbinda Forest Marble Grey Limestone and the margin aggregates used in the cloister inner courtyard area, were made to match the existing walls to create a rustic but also clean and practical gravel effect. FONTE Keinton Blue Lias Stable Yard Cobbles silently direct vehicle parking in carefully measured parking demarcation, designed to blend in with the selfbinding surface. A unique car parking surface in the main carpark area was created using Precast Agri Concrete Pig Slats with rough cast finish inlaid with EGRO Premium Blend Soil 10mm and overseeded. Over behind the gallery lies a meadow created by the internationally renowned Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf, boasting thousands of beautiful perennials planted into fabulous sculptured planting beds created with EGRO Medium Soil and EGRO premium Blend 10mm Soil. Meticulously maintained grass paths meander between the inspiring planting creations. EGRO Topdressing Soil is regularly worked into the lawns to revitalise and improve the drainage to cope with the demands of this sought-after tourist attraction. The use of EGRO Grower Bark and EGRO Multipurpose Compost provides natural moisture retaining properties, providing the thousands of plants with natural protection and dramatically reducing the ingress of weeds.

Allgreen is proud to be part of the recent development of Hauser & Wirth Somerset - a pioneering world-class gallery of sculptural works and art from famous artists, beautifully presented in a grade 2 listed group of farm buildings. Products supplied include CARREG Selfbinda Reclaim Blend was created using reclaimed crushed stone from some of the derelict stone barns and blended with selected aggregates to form the carparks and roadways that carry the thousands of visitors the gallery attracts annually. The bespoke blending of the CARREG Selfbinda Forest Marble Grey Limestone and the margin aggregates used in the cloister inner courtyard area, were made to match the existing walls to create a rustic but also clean and practical gravel effect. FONTE Keinton Blue Lias Stable Yard Cobbles silently direct vehicle parking in carefully measured parking demarcation, designed to blend in with the selfbinding surface. A unique car parking surface in the main carpark area was created using Precast Agri Concrete Pig Slats with rough cast finish inlaid with EGRO Premium Blend Soil 10mm and overseeded. Over behind the gallery lies a meadow created by the internationally renowned Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf, boasting thousands of beautiful perennials planted into fabulous sculptured planting beds created with EGRO Medium Soil and EGRO premium Blend 10mm Soil. Meticulously maintained grass paths meander between the inspiring planting creations. EGRO Topdressing Soil is regularly worked into the lawns to revitalise and improve the drainage to cope with the demands of this sought-after tourist attraction. The use of EGRO Grower Bark and EGRO Multipurpose Compost provides natural moisture retaining properties, providing the thousands of plants with natural protection and dramatically reducing the ingress of weeds.

Allgreen is proud to be part of the recent development of Hauser & Wirth Somerset - a pioneering world-class gallery of sculptural works and art from famous artists, beautifully presented in a grade 2 listed group of farm buildings. Products supplied include CARREG Selfbinda Reclaim Blend was created using reclaimed crushed stone from some of the derelict stone barns and blended with selected aggregates to form the carparks and roadways that carry the thousands of visitors the gallery attracts annually. The bespoke blending of the CARREG Selfbinda Forest Marble Grey Limestone and the margin aggregates used in the cloister inner courtyard area, were made to match the existing walls to create a rustic but also clean and practical gravel effect. FONTE Keinton Blue Lias Stable Yard Cobbles silently direct vehicle parking in carefully measured parking demarcation, designed to blend in with the selfbinding surface. A unique car parking surface in the main carpark area was created using Precast Agri Concrete Pig Slats with rough cast finish inlaid with EGRO Premium Blend Soil 10mm and overseeded. Over behind the gallery lies a meadow created by the internationally renowned Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf, boasting thousands of beautiful perennials planted into fabulous sculptured planting beds created with EGRO Medium Soil and EGRO premium Blend 10mm Soil. Meticulously maintained grass paths meander between the inspiring planting creations. EGRO Topdressing Soil is regularly worked into the lawns to revitalise and improve the drainage to cope with the demands of this sought-after tourist attraction. The use of EGRO Grower Bark and EGRO Multipurpose Compost provides natural moisture retaining properties, providing the thousands of plants with natural protection and dramatically reducing the ingress of weeds.

Allgreen is proud to be part of the recent development of Hauser & Wirth Somerset - a pioneering world-class gallery of sculptural works and art from famous artists, beautifully presented in a grade 2 listed group of farm buildings. Products supplied include CARREG Selfbinda Reclaim Blend was created using reclaimed crushed stone from some of the derelict stone barns and blended with selected aggregates to form the carparks and roadways that carry the thousands of visitors the gallery attracts annually. The bespoke blending of the CARREG Selfbinda Forest Marble Grey Limestone and the margin aggregates used in the cloister inner courtyard area, were made to match the existing walls to create a rustic but also clean and practical gravel effect. FONTE Keinton Blue Lias Stable Yard Cobbles silently direct vehicle parking in carefully measured parking demarcation, designed to blend in with the selfbinding surface. A unique car parking surface in the main carpark area was created using Precast Agri Concrete Pig Slats with rough cast finish inlaid with EGRO Premium Blend Soil 10mm and overseeded. Over behind the gallery lies a meadow created by the internationally renowned Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf, boasting thousands of beautiful perennials planted into fabulous sculptured planting beds created with EGRO Medium Soil and EGRO premium Blend 10mm Soil. Meticulously maintained grass paths meander between the inspiring planting creations. EGRO Topdressing Soil is regularly worked into the lawns to revitalise and improve the drainage to cope with the demands of this sought-after tourist attraction. The use of EGRO Grower Bark and EGRO Multipurpose Compost provides natural moisture retaining properties, providing the thousands of plants with natural protection and dramatically reducing the ingress of weeds.

Timber Conservation™ windows and doors by Mumford & Wood have been specified by a building developer for his own residential property in Poole, Dorset. This large coastal town, once a maritime trade hub, has attracted tourists and visitors to its beaches and landscapes for many decades and is an established area of beauty.

Timber Conservation™ windows and doors by Mumford & Wood have been specified by a building developer for his own residential property in Poole, Dorset. This large coastal town, once a maritime trade hub, has attracted tourists and visitors to its beaches and landscapes for many decades and is an established area of beauty.

Located in the territory of Ragalna, an area on the slopes of Mount Etna characterized by high quality cultivations and tourist attraction, the building was originally a single manor house with ancient nineteenth-century winery. Over time it has been divided into two properties of which the part affected by the intervention is located in the north-eastern portion and currently used as a seasonal residence. In this part of the building the peculiar element was the old warehouse, recently remodelled but left in its raw state. This environment presented several critical issues: limited spaces, geometric irregularities, lack of brightness due to the solid walls adjacent to other buildings, a single access from the public road that borders the property to the north. The new use of the building is tourist residence for short stays. The reduced available space has been used to best advantage: by exploiting the internal height difference in the floor level, the two adjoining spaces of the day and night areas have been arranged, separated in functions but with a common view. The original wall box was so divided by a new wall-filter, which interrupts the unique space but lets itself be crossed by natural light and artificial light along the day and night time. The permanence of the robust quadrangular pillar in rough blocks of lava stone and bricks testifies the former use of the building and remarks the boundary between the two areas. The interior is characterized by a large space dedicated to the living area overlooking the entrance, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms, the latter located on the slightly lower level. In the living area prevails a treatment of smooth white surfaces and the continuous floor made of volcanic sand and resin, which due to its characteristics of impermeability and hardness also extends into the bathroom. From the pure white of the living area you go to the marked use of the continuous floor-wall-roof coating in solid chestnut boards in the night area. Going down a couple of steps at the sides of the pillar you enter the two bedrooms, one with two beds, the other with four beds divided on two levels by a small mezzanine made of sheet-folded and a staircase with staggered steps. Great care has been devoted to details, the use of materials and light: the new partition walls are made of two-layer gypsum fibre boards with cavity for an easy installation of the facility and insulating function, the internal fixtures are custom-made in ecobond panels enclosed in PET sheets with varying degrees of opacity, natural light descends from mechanized ceiling windows with adjustable opening and dimming. Just the light is an important matter of the project: the light rays coming from the windows on the roof bathe the interiors, are filtered by the walls, enhance the colours and textures of the surfaces making the environment almost mystical, while artificial light is guaranteed by wide LED strips hidden between the folds of the coverings and walls. Through the use of materials such as volcanic sand, wood, metal, we wanted to use some of the raw materials and systems of traditional local architecture. Photo: E.Sarpietro