Submitted at competition the brief was to design a replacement for the landmark Edwardian tearooms in the Belper’s River Gardens. The existing building had fallen into disrepair and had been condemned.
Industrialist George Herbert Strutt commissioned the original Swiss-style tea rooms. It was felt the new design should reflect elements of this building, while providing a new sustainable and durable solution.
The brief emphasised the need for an aesthetically pleasing building which could accommodate a viable business, be environmentally friendly but respect the World Heritage Site.
The solution proposed was a portal and dia-grid structure that used regional materials for the structure, providing a new and innovative design while taking subtle references from the original pavilion building and the garden location.
