The project sought to enhance the setting of the grade 2* listed Gorton Monastery by a sensitive contemporary development paying due reference to Pugin’s proportioning system and rich material palette. The Proportions and rhythm of the Monastery grid together with the church’s strong horizontal bands of stonework were taken as the design generator for the proposed scheme’s elevations. The existing spaces around the Monastery were to be retained and original features such as The ‘Lawn’ and ‘The Twelve Apostles’ to be reinstated.
The scheme includes a hotel, conference facility and a new visitor centre forming the final wing enclosing the monastery cloister. Over the visitor centre is 3500 sq ft of commercial space was to be provided for use by the Gorton Monastery Trust or let speculatively. The residential element, consisting of 7 live work units and 42 apartments, were to generate the funds to develop the Trust’s new facilities.
