Bodmin Jail Hotel: Blending Heritage Architecture with Contemporary Design

Dart Bathrooms, a contract bathroom retailer, was searching for a premium shower enclosure that offered: simple elegance, met the space requirements, could match the volumes, and could meet the strict delivery date based on the architect's brief.

Bodmin Jail Hotel is a four star boutique hotel, nestled on the edge of Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. Based in the Grade II listed walls of the former prison building, the renovation of the abandoned jail into a luxury, four storey, 70 room hotel was no easy feat.

Abandoned since 1927, the design brief was simple; to carefully intertwine the imposing original architecture of the 18th century jail with high quality contemporary design. Twelve Architects and Master Planners’s design philosophy was to create diverse spaces aimed at heightening the unique qualities of the heritage asset. Selecting high end ‘invisible’ design features to allow the past to shine through.

Each of the bespoke hotel rooms were created utilising three former cells. The bathroom retrofits demanded products that could offer simple, understated elegance that could also meet the space restrictions of the individual environment.

Building on the architect’s brief, contract bathroom merchant, Dart Bathrooms, was looking for a high-quality shower enclosure that offered: simple elegance, fit the space requirements and could meet the volumes and tight delivery schedule. Dart Bathrooms worked closely with MERLYN’s Specification Team to select the stylish MERLYN 8 Series Frameless Quadrant Door. To meet the space requirements, MERLYN specification team supplied 1200mm x 800mm quadrants featuring 8mm toughened glass, effortlessly combining high aesthetics with functionality.

The new bathroom suites perfectly marry the imposing original architecture of the three hundred- year-old jail with contemporary fittings and finishes. The 8 Series frameless quadrants with concealed fixings help to create the illusion
of space, blending seamlessly with the original architecture and weathered stone walls. The strong partnership with Dart Bathrooms, supported by high stock levels enabled MERLYN’s dedicated specification team to deliver a high-quality finish within the aggressive build programme.

MERLYN’s Specification Team support clients in the planning, design, installation and after sales care on all sizes of project. With large stock volumes and bespoke design service, our team is with you every step of the way to hand pick and tailor the best solutions depending on your showering environment needs.

For any specification enquiries please email spec@merlyn.ie.