Bodmin jail

An amazing refurbishment project, turning a neglected and ruined Napoleonic jail into a luxury hotel and tourist attraction in Cornwall features Norseal NOR820 acoustic drop seals fitted to the hotel doors, improving the hotel’s acoustics for a peaceful night’s sleep for guests, with acoustic sealing efficiency of up to 92 per cent without compromising the historic aesthetics. 

Bodmin Jail, built by prisoners from the Napoleonic Wars in 1778, was in operation until 1929, when it was scheduled for demolition. But because the dynamite used in the demolition failed to destroy the thick stone walls, the building fell into ruin for 70 years until it was bought by a businessman who fell in love with the building and its history.

As befits a former jail, the doors play a central role in a refurbishment’s design scheme as well as the building’s modern fire safety requirements. Working with door manufacturer Dorplan, Architect Twelve Architects recreated the original look of the original eighteenth-century cell doors while still complying with fire regulations and the acoustic standards required in a modern luxury hotel. The result is the transformation of the Grade II-listed ruins into a modern, 70-bed hotel and visitor attraction that also pays homage to its history.

Dorplan designed and produced around 400 door sets for Bodmin Jail Hotel in dusty grey or an arresting lemon yellow with inlaid beading and grooving to create a panelled effect. Matt black ironmongery to recreate the look and feel of the original door furniture. In some cases, original doors were used. 

No matter how authentic or historic the design, the acoustic properties of modern hotel doors are a vital part of a successful and peaceful customer experience. At Bodmin Jail, Dorplan used NOR820 drop seals from Norseal to ensure that the hotel rooms achieved exceptionally high acoustic performance. Additionally, the seals specified at the Bodmin Jail Hotel keep heat in, whilst reducing the transfer of smoke, draughts and light coming through door bottom gaps, further enhancing the comfort and safety of hotel guests.

Norseal NOR820 helps doors meet the requirements of BS 9999, the standard that details the performance criteria for smoke-sealed door sets in the UK, and can be added to fire doors without detriment to the door’s fire performance. NOR820 acoustic door seals have successfully passed the Certifire TS21 smoke test.