Tuesday 18 March 2008

More reserch...

It's the future...

negative compression chambers... er..humm

A spa convention in Excel arena London was the target, the mission to seek out all interesting aspects of the spa world. Arrived late due to heavy traffic on Pentonville road and realised that Bristol traffic was a lot more forgiving than in the metropolis, but traffic jams and cars in cities generally don't work. But this gave our tour guide, the font of all spa knowledge himself, who we were meeting there, the chance to get a good head start looking around the large glorified warehouse that is Excel. This was actually a blessing in disguise as 'the font' could go in and immediately sniff out all of the stands worth looking at and thus save loads of time (sat in traffic discussing brand ethos and then onto slogans and then realising we don't want one). Once inside it was clear that the world of spas at the current moment in time evolves around three things.. spray on tanning, lotions and potions and electric therapy beds. What we came to sniff out was a product range that would suit us, look great, be of great quality, all in a workable reasonable package. They were all there, Clarins, Elemis, Creme de la mere, various Parisian beauty agents, it was alot to take in, but the font was knowledgeable as ever and sliced through all the hard sell and asked all the right questions. After being given the spiel by several major producers and laden with more face creams and body butter than we could carry (amazing how generous they were after finding out we're to open a spa), we consulted on the product houses we had seen so far, only one of which stood out by a mile and we all liked very much. A further meeting has been arranged at their HQ to meet the MD and learn more about their product called..... we'll let you know after the meeting, see how it goes.

The day was finished off back in familiar territory, a restaurant. A quick bit of tapas at acclaimed Moro restaurant, the food fantastic. Moro has been a large inspiration for the Lido restaurant and in its direction so this was a treat.

Pool skeleton


Once the concrete had been poured in to level out the bottom and support the sides , the pool specialists can move on. Steel supporting grids are affixed into position and wooden sides that are higher than the surrounding ground are constructed. This gives a visual impression of the 'infinity pool' effect for the first time.

Large planter boxes have been made and fixed to the west and north walls and bamboo and other shooting plants are being inserted, this will give total privacy to the Lido. They will be watered by rain water collected from the slanting roofs of the outdoor changing cubicles.

Thursday 13 March 2008

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...

Victorian blue

Restored tea room windows with the beginings of the pool view balcony

'Borrowed'

The old and new woodwork

As well as all the new features going into the Lido there will be as much retention of old materials as possible, recycling where ever possible. Some of the building is so old and in such a poor state that it has to be replaced with new parts. Due to the grade 2 nature features and new materials have to be sympathetic to the original, which is great as far as were concerned, preserving and enhancing this old lido really is special. Of the 5 supporting beams that hold and make the face of the pool side lounge and restaurant, 2 have had to be replaced, above pic, and the old floor joists replaced for safety. The originals have had rotten ends sawn off and will be lovingly restored and used as chunky balustrades for the stairs from lounge to restaurant.
Drawing on experience from fitting and furnishing the Glass Boat, local reclaiming is the order or the day. The Glass Boat when it was built in 85-86 did exactly that and made good of various used and unwanted local materials, most of the boat's fittings reflect Bristol's heritage - from the original marble worktops from St Nicholas fish market, to the polished walnut and maple floor. The solid Burma teak doors originate from the old Royal Hotel, and other architectural features come from local buildings including a former police station, flourmills in Avonmouth and the Western Daily Press offices in Silver Street. Some of the portholes even come from a cross channel ferry. The Lido is successfully learning from her elder sister and has so far claimed the original wooden stair case form the currently redeveloped Bristol and West building on the center along with some beautiful old chunky wooden doors, which we have decided will polish up nicely for the private changing room doors. (2nd above). The stairs will be put to good use again leading diners to the pool view restaurant.

The original colour of the Lido form the Victorian days was a sky blue which can still be seen on some of the inside features, where possible this will be brought back to life.
So with all the right ingredients it's only right that we shall be submitting the venue to be approved as a venue for civil ceremonies.

 

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