Baca Architects has secured planning permission on behalf of Rothgen Group for a £25m hotel and spa in South Yorkshire, England, to be operated by Campbell Gray Hotels.

The Tyram Lakes Hotel and Spa is anticipated to open in the second half of 2021, and will be part of a wider eco development around a series of lakes located in a 165-acre woodland site.

Fifty eco lodges, currently under construction, will float amongst reed beds at the side of the western lake and, when completed, the hotel and spa will serve lodge residents as well as their own guests.

The spa will feature a 20m pool, hot and cold plunge pools, sauna and steam facilities, six treatment rooms and a fitness studio. A spa operator has not been confirmed.

From the curved form of the hotel, the spa area of the building emerges to form a “peninsula of tranquillity”, boasting dual aspect views over the lakes. The internal swimming pool encourages a holistic feeling of inhabiting nature due to its continuous glass facade to the water’s edge and woodland beyond.

The pool wing opens to the external natural pool, allowing people to submerge themselves further into their surroundings, stimulated by reflection and atmosphere. The openness of the swimming area is contrasted by more intimate relaxation experiences.

The approach to the hotel itself is conceived as a sequence of landscape elements creating a grand approach through tree-lined vistas. These vistas will incorporate wayfinding sustainable drainage features, signalling the transition from daily life to eco-luxury retreat.

A three-storey reception atrium is the heart of the hotel, linking the upper guestroom levels with the movement of visitors around and between reception, bar and dining, spa areas and the lakes themselves.

Tall pod features with wooden slatted louvres will screen the amenity stair and the work areas of the business lounges, while galleried bridges and lift lobbies will overlook both the activity below and the longer views across the lakes. The curved dining room will have its own terrace and will overlook the lake.

The sinuous building form is designed to wrap around the lake like waves on water, and is divided into facetted bedroom and balcony units while being screened by a series of horizontal stone-coloured external shading and balustrade louvres.

“We have created a piece of living sculpture that flows around the edge of the lake,” said Richard Coutts, director of Baca Architects. “Together with the floating lodges, the whole complex will be the first of its kind in the UK and a centrepiece in the growing attraction of South Yorkshire and the North.”

The hotel has been planned to cater for a range of conferences, meetings and weddings. Accessed through a dedicated entrance, the function rooms overlook the lake and activity can spill out onto lakeside terraces.

A rooftop bar and terrace will offer panoramic views of the natural landscape of the Tyram site and the adjoining Humberhead Peatlands’ and Hatfield Moors’ nature reserves.

The hotel will have 104 bedrooms and will be designed to a high environmental standard (a minimum of BREEAM Very Good).

Commenting on the collaboration with Baca Architects, Alex Pearce of Rothgen said: “We hired Baca to unlock the potential of the hotel site following their work on the nearby eco lodges. Their commitment to designing with water enabled them to produce a design which embraced the delight of being next to the lakes while incorporating a strong flood risk strategy, and the scheme was unanimously passed by the Planning Committee.”

The long-term vision for Tyram Lakes Resort is to develop a total of 100-plus lakeside and floating lodges, as well as lodges placed within the woodlands.