Alton Towers Facilities Block
Ellis Hillman Partnership was appointed by Sandycroft Construction to design a new facilities block as part of the innovative ‘Stargazing Pods’ project at Alton Towers. This project aims to enhance the visitor experience by offering a unique and immersive overnight stay within a natural setting. The Stargazing Pods are made up of 102 individual pods, thoughtfully positioned within a beautifully landscaped green area and surrounded by hundreds of newly planted native trees, creating a serene and eco-friendly environment. The facilities block itself is an essential part of the project, providing crucial amenities such as toilets and showers for guests staying in the pods.
The design of the facilities block was carefully crafted to ensure it complements both the natural landscape and the overall aesthetic of the Stargazing Pods. The walls of the building are clad in rough sawn waney edge timber, a material chosen for its rustic, natural appearance that harmonises with the surrounding environment. The wood’s texture and finish provide a warm, earthy tone that blends seamlessly with the newly planted trees and greenery, enhancing the sense of connection to nature.
The roof of the facilities block is covered in red cedar shingles, a material known for its durability and attractive appearance. The roof features a wavy ridge and hip line, designed to mirror the organic forms of the landscape and to create visual cohesion with the adjacent Crooked Spoon restaurant, another key feature of the Alton Towers complex. This thoughtful design ensures that the facilities block feels like an integral part of the overall setting, rather than an afterthought.
In this way, Ellis Hillman Partnership’s design for the facilities block not only meets the functional needs of the Stargazing Pods but also enhances the aesthetic quality of the entire area, creating a memorable experience for visitors to Alton Towers. The combination of natural materials and harmonious design elements reflects the project’s commitment to sustainability and the creation of a peaceful, immersive environment for all who visit.
Sandycroft have worked with Ellis Hillman for many years now both with them either in the capacity as lead consultant on traditionally procured projects or as our appointed architect on design and build schemes. The team at Ellis Hillman have always been great to work with being responsive, diligent, attentive and skilled in their profession. They have an eye on cost, creating schemes that meet the demands of the Client both in terms of aesthetics and value for money. We will continue to use the services of Ellis Hillman going forward and wish them continued success.
Working on the ‘Stargazing Pods’ project at Alton Towers was an exciting opportunity to blend architecture with nature in a truly immersive way. Our team at Ellis Hillman Architects worked closely with Sandycroft Construction to create a facilities block that would not only provide essential amenities for the visitors but also complement the surrounding landscape and enhance the overall experience. It was important to us that the facilities block not only served its practical purpose but also contributed to the sense of tranquility and connection to nature that the Stargazing Pods aimed to provide.
Richard Evans
Director
