The Manor Resort, Devon

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The Manor Resort, Devon

The proposed upgrades at The Manor resort aim to revitalise the guest arrival experience with a striking new landscape-led reception building.

Client
Evergreen Escapes
Location
Okehampton, Devon
Sector
Leisure & hospitality
Status
In planning
Our role
Architect, Lead Designer
Developer
Evergreen Escapes
Operator
Manor & Ashbury Resorts
Local authority
West Devon Borough Council
Site area
1.12 acres
Year
2026

Strategically elevated to capture sweeping panoramic views of Dartmoor, the chamfered pavilion utilises a natural material palette of local stone and weathered larch beneath a lightweight, "floating" roof.

We worked alongside the contractor, Lodgico Limited, using the pre-fabricated system HONKA to develop a beautiful but sustainable high quality reception building, that seamlessly links to the existing resort.

The project proposes a pedestrian-focused terraced entrance, featuring accessible ramps and steps seamlessly integrated with naturalistic moorland planting.

The new reception at the top of the entrance slope: a stone wall carrying The Manor Reception sign, a glazed corner and a larch-clad wall with the resort map

Design development

The design approach considers the journey to the reception building, as well as the functionality of the existing operations.

  1. The initial approach view is impactful and legible for new arrivals
  2. The 'zone of vertical ascent' takes the guest up to the best level to view the scenery
  3. The new reception location nestles over the existing building footprint, designed to capture the best of the views across Dartmoor
  4. The viewing deck improves the connection to this view
  5. The existing bedrooms are rearranged to facilitate a safer fire escape route

The design functions operationally by connecting the viewing reception space with the staff areas below.

Site diagram: the arrival route from the main vehicular entrance, the zone of vertical ascent, the new first-floor reception, the viewing deck and the fire escape route past the existing bedrooms

Concept

The sketch illustrates the elevated arrival experience. The roof and building geometry is set above the soft landscape interspersed between the arrival slope and steps. The landscaped entrance slope sat below the angular roof echoes the context whilst sitting strikingly against the backdrop of the Dartmoor silhouette.

Concept sketch of the reception building above the landscaped entrance slope and steps
Inside the reception: full-height glazing looks out over fields to Dartmoor, beneath an exposed timber roof
Manor Reception - framing the breath-taking view across Dartmoor

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