Key to the success of the architectural task was the achievement of Travelodge's requirement for the maximum number of bedrooms possible within the constraints of the site. The resulting scheme brings high quality design to the building envelope while realising internal layouts to meet the brand standard. The new hotel is accommodated in a former commercial building to the front, with a brick and glass extension to the rear. The existing stone facade has been retained and the original building now accommodates some of the ground floor public areas with bedrooms above. The majority of the guestrooms, however, are within the extension and it was here, by controlling ceiling heights, that space was created for an additional floor, achieving a five-storey extension on the existing four-storey building. Innovative techniques were employed to contain building costs and increase speed of construction. The structure is a light-gauge galvanised steel structural framing system, supported off reinforced concrete transfer floor slabs and columns located to the ground and basement areas. All the bathrooms are pre-fabricated pods. Priority was also given to the eco-qualities of the hotel. The brick walls, roof and glazing elements offer good thermal qualities and heating is supplied by two biomass boilers; there are water saving systems, lighting sensors in the corridors and all the bedroom windows open to provide natural ventilation. The total build cost was £21 million.