Project Monkbridge Hotel, York
Our client wished to modernise and re-order Monkbridge House, built in 1864 and for the last 30 years has been a guest house.
Our brief was to give the period property a fresh appearance, make it more comfortable, make it quieter and create a more attractive environment for guests, whilst using sympathetic new materials and technologies, combined with traditional craftsmanship, to restore the building.
Native re-ordered the layout of all the bedrooms and opened up the rear dormers on the top floor to frame wonderful views of York Minster. Circulation throughout the building and internal natural light was greatly improved with the introduction of new windows, roof lights and sun pipe openings.
External walls were repaired and repointed using reclaimed brickwork and lime mortar. Cement renders were removed and replaced with breathable lime-based alternatives. Original moulded plaster cornices were repaired and restored with new hand-made sections inserted to replace water damage.
The dormer extension to the rear is clad with zinc standing seam cladding.
The energy efficiency of the building was significantly updated by insulating external walls and roof spaces and by refurbishing the existing box sashes and incorporating new SlimLite double glazed sash window replacements. Modern heating and hot water installations replaced the outdated and poorly performing existing hotel systems and a new heat recovery ventilation system was installed throughout the building.
The project was awarded The York Design Awards 2022 Small Commercial Category.