Paul Langlois Architects
Paul Langlois Architects reimagines two Guernsey landmarks with bold designs
Completing yet another two outstanding projects - refurbishment of the Royal Guernsey Golf Club Bar, and an impressive barn conversion at La Ramise, Paul Langlois Architects of Guernsey continue to expand their showcase of exceptionally well designed schemes.
Main contractor for Royal Guernsey Golf Club was Interior Systems and main contractor for La Ramise was W A Mosgrove.
Royal Guernsey Golf Club
At the Royal Guernsey Golf Club, the client brief was to refurbish the bar and social area of which was last renewed in the 1990s with the emphasis on creating a brighter, more modern interior that is also comfortable, welcoming and representative of the club's history.
Anne Langlois of Paul Langlois Architects said: "The starting point for the design was the club's incredibly beautiful natural setting - the vast panorama of the sky and the expansive sandy sweep of L'Ancresse Bay with its concrete sea defences and the rugged heathland golf range punctuated by yellow gorse. The design intention was to blend the landscape with the interior through the choice of colour palette, materials and textures used in the bar."
The bar pelmet was raised to open up the space to the views of L'Ancresse Bay and feature lighting added in the form of pendant decorative filament bulbs with diamond cut, cross knurl pattern bulb holders. Additional lighting in the form of a concealed warm white LED strip floods light across the ceiling behind the bar.
The bar shelving and storage incorporates mirrors and glass shelving and is framed by LED strip lighting and painted in a dark grey accent colour. The mirrors and lighting bounce back light in an otherwise dark area.
The bell twist carpet reflects the sea colour and the lime washed oak herringbone parquet around the bar with antique bronze trim adds detail.
Anne Langlois said: "The structure of the bar counter was retained and reclad in lime washed oak effect laminate. The sides of the bar counter were panelled and painted the dark grey accent colour with Royal Guernsey Golf Club branding in soft gold on some of the panels."
The chairs are upholstered in commercial quality linen effect fabric - midnight, stone grey and gold. Table bases are heavy antique bronze columns with table tops matching the bar counter finish.
Particular attention was given in the design process to the effective display of the club memorabilia. Minimalist two way glass cabinets were framed by LED light strips to display the silver trophies. These were installed in existing openings. The fully adjustable glass shelves are suspended from silver wires.
A chronological Captains' Portrait Wall is also incorporated as a feature at one end of the bar.
Andrew Fothergill, club director commended the scheme saying: "Working with Paul Langlois Architects was a pleasant and productive time at the Royal Guernsey Golf Club. Anne worked tirelessly both as interior designer and as project manager, following the initial brief to the letter and then adding magic to it. Her resolute focus on the job has ensured that we have a clubhouse to be proud of."
La Ramise
The project at La Ramise involved the restoration and conversion of a semi derelict 18th Century barn into a multi-purpose unit to provide holiday accommodation for visiting family and friends, or a longer term dower unit.
Paul Langlois said: "The barn is part of a 16th Century farmhouse and is a protected structure, so a detailed Statement of Significance was required for Heritage.
"The existing barn roof was on the on the point of collapse. A structural survey confirmed the roof structure was beyond repair and the granite walls required some stitching and partial under pinning to the north gable. The concrete floor was removed and granite setts set aside for reuse externally.
"Internally the walls were dry lined with a waterproof membrane and an insulated timber frame with plasterboard/MDF."
For Anne Langlois the focus of the interior styling of La Remise is simplicity - the blending of modern minimalism to focus attention on the form of the building with touches of traditional styling to reflect the heritage.
Natural light pours into the open plan double height lounge through the glazed screen that provides access onto a small terrace with granite setts removed from the barn. Granite walls are retained and the roof finish and structure replaced. New pantiles match the existing and painted timber gable cladding replaces the original 'crinkly-tin'.
The kitchen/dining area has a mezzanine/sleeping platform above. The handle less kitchen units are in a soft matte stone colour, complementing the slate worktop and the coordinating taupe Silgranit sink blends with the panelled blue grey timber walls.
A 600mm change in level on the ground floor is emphasised by different floor finishes of white oak wide plank timber flooring and large format concrete look ceramic tiles.
A new opening through the granite wall provides access to the shower room located in the converted garage. The gable walls are panelled with blue grey grooved boarding with coordinating blue grey timber windows.
The client commended the project saying: "Many thanks to Paul and Anne for all their work. It's incredible to compare this with how it looked twelve months ago!"
