Mackenzie Wheeler create container hotel in Portishead

The Hall & Woodhouse development faces the Bristol Channel. The use of containers reflects the idea of travel by sea. This idea is further emphasised in the cargo-like signage and other graphics designed for external walls and within the rooms and corridors.

The units arrive by road or rail fully insulated, decorated and fitted out, ready for stacking. This self-supporting structure needs no other framework; its plug-in-and-go services make for a simple build method and rapid installation.  The rooms will be designed by Mackenzie Wheeler to target 3* market for business and leisure visitors to the broader dockland re-development.

There are two room types although a variety of combinations are possible: one offering a compact unit for single occupancy, the other providing a double guest-room using two containers.  For those sleeping on boats but coming into the bar/ restaurant, there will also be changing and laundry facilities.

Phase I of the development will include a bar and a 120-seat restaurant on ground and first floors.  Phase II will comprise of the guest-rooms.

Duncan Mackenzie of Mackenzie Wheeler Architects says, “As we mainly worked on major 4 and 5* hotels and resorts, we are interested to see how a container hotel concept could work for other markets.  For instance in the independent boutique hotel sector or possibly for operators of safaris who require easy to move and low impact accommodation for their guests.”

Mackenzie Wheeler designed the award winning At The Chapel Restaurant in Bruton, Somerset. The practice has also designed Café Fish, Livebait, Real Greek, Chez Gerard as well as The Landmark Hotel, Hyde Park London and the Four Seasons at Hook, Hampshire.   More recent projects include Cedar Court Hotel in York and the Marrriott Rive Gauche in Paris.

www.mackenziewheeler.co.uk