Radford Castle: A Landmark Reborn
PL9 | Heritage Design for a Unique Lakeside Retreat in Devon
The Legacy
For over fifty years, the Grade II-listed Radford Castle stood derelict between two lakes in Plymouth, Devon. The castle's dramatic setting, perched atop a dam, presented an extraordinary opportunity to revive a significant heritage asset as a distinctive hospitality venue.
Our Design Brief
BluePrint was commissioned to provide architectural design services through to planning and construction documentation, including:
- Heritage assessment and conservation strategy.
- Design for sympathetic restoration.
- Planning and listed building consent applications.
- Detailed construction documentation.
- Technical specifications for delivery.
Design Narrative
Our architectural response respected the castle's primacy:
- Understated seaward extension.
- Deliberate contemporary detailing.
- Clear material distinction between old and new.
- Authentic conservation approach.
- Preservation of romantic character.
Architectural Detail
The design philosophy embraced:
- Honest expression of new interventions.
- Careful material selection.
- Conscious avoidance of historical mimicry.
- Subtle contemporary additions.
- Respect for original architectural features.
Project Delivery
Our involvement concluded after:
- Securing planning and listed building consents.
- Delivering detailed technical drawings and specifications.
- Preparing comprehensive construction information.
- Clearing planning and listed building consent conditions.
The project was subsequently completed in the spring of 2024, transforming this historic structure into a unique visitor accommodation that preserves its heritage significance whilst creating distinctive experiences for guests.
