Innovation and Resilience in Rural Hospitality Woldon Architects have developed an estate masterplan & designs for a new 750sqm venue building on a former stable yard at a Grade I listed house in Cheshire. The venue building is designed to support the estate’s wedding business and to host corporate and charity events. Wedding Business Expansion There is a significant demand locally for large high-end wedding and event venues. Expectations of couples are high as they look for something special for their wedding day. So far, the client’s estate has hosted weddings in a temporary seasonal marquee, but with strong local competition and to grow the business, a more permanent and desirable offering was required. Woldon Architects developed a vision for a new venue and estate masterplan that would respond to this need and capture the hearts and minds of the market. Masterplan A vision was required which balanced the technical requirements of the brief with a superlative design for the most enviable party space in the region. The designs evolved from extensive historic analysis of the house & site to understand its evolution & character. The expansion of the business would mean increased traffic and footfall therefore a masterplan was developed which provided for suitable circulation, parking, traffic and servicing requirements. Grade I Backdrop to Courtyard Events Space The concept reimagines an overgrown former stable yard as a new 400 seat venue against the backdrop of the Grade I hall. The design is an L-shaped building which draws on the stable barns that would once have stood there: the main volume is the party space with services and kitchens neatly in the other wing. Two sides of the barn are metal framed glazing, and open directly on to the courtyard to create a seamless space for entertaining. Two double-sided wood fires with tall chimneys create focal points for inside and outside events.