TILE and stone company, Schlüter-Systems, was involved in the renovation and restoration of The Newt Hotel and Spa, a stunning country estate surrounded by beautiful gardens, nestled in the heart of Somerset.
The project consisted of three different areas: Hadspen House, The Farmyard and Barton Spa. The spa was designed from scratch to serve as an enticing draw for guests to relax, while the other locations were renovated, reportedly giving the estate a new lease of life.
Hadspen House is the main house which was originally built in the 17th century, the restoration of which has created luxurious hotel rooms for guests. The Farmyard, located on the same estate nearby to Hadspen House, is home to further accommodation, in addition to community spaces. The addition of the spa to this historic estate has allowed for an exclusive guest-only space, which offers rest and relaxation.
Among many products used in these projects, one of Schlüter’s flagship products, DITRA-HEAT was used throughout the project in various ways, from undertile heating for the flooring in the guest bathrooms of Hadspen House, to creating comfort seating in the spa area of Barton Spa.
Says the company: ‘Pairing these trusted solutions with the expert technical knowledge supplied, ensured the finished projects were impressive in style and substance.’
Barton Spa
Schlüter says it took on the most significant role for the creation of certain elements of the newly built spa facilities which adjoined Hadspen House.
‘Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD, a tile backerboard, helped construct multiple focal points in the spa area, including the vanity units in the male and female changing rooms. The portico around one of the doors in the main spa was a particularly eye-catching element which added character to the space. The durability of the tile backerboard allowed for 20mm Carrara Marble to be easily fixed over for a beautiful, luxurious finish.
‘Heating elements were also provided with the help of Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-DUO, the electric undertile heating system. Featuring a studded uncoupling membrane into which heating cables are clipped and securely held in place, it guarantees an even and consistent heating experience which is imperative for a commercial area such as this one.’
The company continues: ‘The system was used on benches and seats which were then clad with Carrara Marble, meaning there was a uniform look with the desired comfort element provided alongside it – resulting in the perfect spa experience for guests to enjoy.
‘The DUO variant of DITRA-HEAT has the added functionality of impact-sound reduction and enabling faster heating of floor- and wall-coverings owing to the special thermal barrier fleece laminated on the underside. The installation of Barton Spa was carried out by Bristol Marble, who are Schlüter’s approved installers.’
Hadspen House
Already a beautiful Georgian Manor House with a rich history, Hadspen House undertook a restoration to ensure it would be future proofed for years to come while keeping the original charm intact. While the whole manor was given an upgrade, the main work carried out by Schlüter was to provide underfloor heating systems to the guest bathrooms.
Says the company: ‘This involved the reliable and popular membrane Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-DUO to offer guests a level of indulgence to match the inviting ambiance the hotel provides.
Schlüter’s DITRA-HEAT products are designed for the attachment of cables, and serve as uncoupling, crack bridging, waterproofing, vapour pressure equalisation layer. In these guest bathrooms, the product is the ideal companion for the marble tiles, reliably waterproofing and adding warmth underfoot.
‘SHC Tiling, who are based in Bath, supplied the marble tiles used to produce the beautiful bathroom finishes, meaning function and flair were added.’
The Farmyard
Originally a Grade II listed farmhouse and several outbuildings, The Farmyard undertook a substantial conversion to create accommodation, a Farm Shop and Cider Press which gave the estate an even stronger sense of community.
A challenge which presented itself almost immediately was the need to seamlessly incorporate modern products and practises into a building that has deep roots into the past. There was a desire to keep many of the original features while producing design elements which were contemporary and stylish.
Says the company: ‘The bathrooms involved utilising the Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E for underfloor heating, meaning whether guests stayed at Hadspen House or The Farmyard, they were greeted with cosy warmth. The project was an exciting way to breathe new life into an estate that was already full of personality, ensuring it would be enjoyed for years to come.’
Concluded the company: ‘Developing key areas of Barton Spa with waterproofing and undertile heating products which were also used in Hadspen House and The Farmyard shows just how versatile Schlüter products can be.’
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