A historic 1778 Georgian manor in North Yorkshire has been reimagined as a contemporary hospitality venue through an innovative approach that prioritizes sustainability and local craftsmanship. BOX 9's transformation of Denton Reserve, originally designed by architect John Carr, demonstrates how heritage buildings can be adapted for modern use while preserving their architectural integrity and supporting circular design principles.
The project faced significant constraints due to the building's Grade I listed status, which prohibited fixed partitions or built-in elements. BOX 9 addressed this challenge by treating bathrooms and furniture as sculptural objects that inhabit the space rather than alter its original structure. This approach maintained the building's historic sightlines while introducing necessary functional elements for hospitality use.
The design team developed a material palette directly inspired by the Yorkshire Dales landscape, incorporating soil, stone, heather, and moorland moss translated into pigments and textures. Studio Amos created a striking heather chandelier using moor-harvested materials, demonstrating how local sourcing can produce both functional lighting and artistic statement pieces that reflect the surrounding environment.
Cork emerged as a central material throughout the project, chosen for its thermal performance and acoustic properties. The reception area features a collaboration with Ted Jefferis, combining British oak with sculptural cork spheres. This sustainable material appears in various applications including cladding, furniture elements, and structural components, showcasing its versatility in interior design applications.
Waste reduction played a crucial role in the material selection process. Leleni Studio created a living room table entirely from marble industry waste offcuts, proving that remnant materials can serve as primary design elements rather than compromised alternatives. This approach challenges traditional views of waste materials in high-end hospitality design.
Jan Hendzel Studio contributed to the sustainability narrative by repurposing an original marquetry boardroom table in the games room. The team cut the antique piece into a circular form, added hand-turned legs, and inlaid playing cards as marquetry details, breathing new life into existing furniture while maintaining its craftsmanship heritage.
The guest rooms feature solid wool furniture designed by Jason Posnot's Or This Studio, strategically positioned to frame views of the surrounding moorland and grazing sheep. This placement transforms the natural landscape into a programmed experience, connecting guests with the local environment. Even the paint received innovative treatment, textured with crushed olive stones to create surface variations that respond to changing light conditions throughout the day.
Project leader Lou Davies emphasized the ambitious sustainability standards that guided every decision. "We set ourselves an incredibly high bar. Every single piece and material had to leave a legacy of positive change – whether through sustainability, supporting a maker, empowering an emerging studio, or championing innovation," Davies explained. "If it didn't have the potential to restore landscapes, lives or our relationship with craft, it didn't come through the doors."
The project demonstrates how heritage buildings can serve as platforms for contemporary craft innovation while maintaining their historical significance. By working within conservation constraints rather than against them, BOX 9 created a hospitality space that honors both architectural tradition and environmental responsibility, setting new standards for sustainable renovation in the luxury hospitality sector.
