Reconfiguration of hotel layout in Peckham in preparation for the London Olympics in 2012
Project Type: Commercial
Background
With the prospect of the hotel accommodation being in high demand during the London Olympics, the Client was keen to create more rooms without extending the footprint of the existing hotel.
While there was a specific deadline for the project, it needed to be sustainable, providing desirable accommodation for guests into the future in order to justify the investment.
Why NU Concepts?
Maximising space, and identifying wasted areas is a particular specialism for NU Concepts. Business owner Vishal Verma is renowned for crisp, modern designs, which is exactly what the client was looking for.
They also knew that Vishal would be able to clearly articulate the concept – and support them through the whole process of designing and commissioning the project.
How NU Concepts helped
Vishal immediately saw the opportunities offered by the 5m high ceilings on the ground floor of the four-storey building, which meant smaller room sizes could still create a sense of space and light. Repositioning en suites within rooms across all floors also enabled better use of the available area, while still providing high quality facilities.
And of course hotels aren’t just about rooms – Vishal’s designs also focused on communal areas and safety aspects such as clear fire escape routes.
Outcome
The reconfiguration took the hotel from 75 to 150 rooms and was completed in good time and on budget to welcome guests from all over the world during the Olympic events – meeting all of the client’s expectations.
Since that time, NU Concepts has worked on a further extension of the hotel, this time incorporating and adapting a second world war bunker in its grounds. At the time of building, it was the first development to place hotel accommodation (rather than just swimming pools and gyms) below ground level – taking maximising space to a new depth!
House of Multiple Occupancy
Project Type: Commercial
Changes: Small extension and internal remodelling of a residential property
Client: Armando Coletta, Managing Director, Homige
Background
Armando wanted to convert a single-family residential property in Newton-le-willows into an HMO (House of Multiple Occupancy) as a commercial business. This would involve extension work and some internal remodelling to turn the two-bedroom dilapidated family house into a four-bedroom HMO.
Why Nu Concepts?
A friend introduced Armando to Vishal, from NU Concepts, at a networking event. As well as being quick to understand his requirements, he liked the way Vishal came up with innovative ideas and explained his designs in plain language.
Because Armando was relatively new to property development, he was looking for someone he could trust to be honest, as well as imaginative. And Vishal fitted perfectly.
How Nu Concepts helped
Vishal brought a lot of insight, suggestions and direction to the project. And he did it in way that helped Armando make decisions. For example, Vishal proposed en suites for every bedroom, something that Armando hadn’t previously considered.
He also supported building a small kitchen extension at the back, despite the builders questioning whether it would be worth the work – the extension would only be approximately six-to-seven feet by three-to-four feet. However, after it had been done, it had a really significant impact. It gave the room a wow factor and the builders agreed it had been the right thing to do.
As well as suggesting design improvements, Armando found that Vishal was a good communicator and was great at getting individuals to work together. In particular, his diplomatic nature helped find solutions to differences of opinion between others involved in the project.
Outcome
The project was a complete success, and the property now has a wow factor thanks to Vishal’s designs. This means good quality tenants are keen to live there, making Armando’s life as a landlord much easier.
Armando enjoyed working with Vishal so much that we are now doing another project together in Liverpool. This time it is a five-bed property which will be turned into an eight-bed HMO.
Before
After
