Hastings Pier, RIBA Design Contest, HPWRT Project, Award News, dRMM Design Image
Hastings Pier Redevelopment
Hastings Pier Structure, East Sussex, south East England design by dRMM Architects, UK
18 Jan 2019
Hastings Pier by dRMM in Sussex featured in a new RIBA exhibition in 2019:
Making It Happen: New Community Architecture
30 January – 29 April 2019
Free entry
RIBA Architecture Gallery, 66 Portland Place, London, W1, England, UK
How are architects working directly with community groups to create inspiring local buildings and places during times of economic and political austerity?
Making It Happen: New Community Architecture
post updated 1 Nov + 31 Oct 2017
Hastings Pier Stirling Prize 2017 Winner
Hastings Pier Wins Stirling Prize 2017
Location: Sussex, Southeast England, UK
Design: dRMM Architects
1 Aug 2017 – new photos added ; 27 Jul 2017
Hastings Pier Renewal Shortlisted for the Wood Awards 2017
Twenty outstanding structures have been nominated for the Wood Awards 2017 shortlist, featuring some of Britain’s best architectural designs in wood. The judging panel was led by architect Michael Morrison of Purcell.
The 2010 destruction of Hasting’s Pier by fire led to an opportunity of redefining what a 21st Century pier could be. dRMM’s re-design is a well-serviced platform that can support endless uses; from big-top circuses to international markets. A new visitor centre replaces the weakest central section of the damaged pier.
The centre is a CLT structure clad in salvaged pier decking. Reclaimed timber deck furniture was designed by dRMM and Hastings & Bexhill Wood Recycling as part of a local employment initiative.
The experience of free space and ‘walking on water’ is heightened by a louvered balustrade design and quality timber deck. The new pier offers flexibility, material and functional sustainability, and an uninterrupted vista of the natural and built surroundings of the special seaside town of Hastings.
Location: Hastings
Architect: dRMM
Client/Owner: Hastings Pier Charity
Structural Engineer: Ramboll UK
Main Contractor/Builder: Hastings Pier Charity
CLT Manufacturer: KLH
Joinery Company: Timber Craft UK
Wood Supplier: Timber Craft UK, KLH
Wood Species: Austrian Spruce, Salvaged Pier Decking (Jarrah, Purple Heart, Green Heart and Balau), African Ekki
photos Alex de Rijke, courtesy of Wood Awards, 1 Aug 2017
The shortlist will be showcased at the London Design Fair, Old Truman Brewery, on 21 – 24 September
Wood Award Shortlisting for Hastings Pier Renewal
21 Jul 2017
Hastings Pier Renewal News
Hastings Pier Renewal Shortlisted for Stirling Prize 2017
This is one of six buildings on the shortlist for the 22nd annual Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stirling Prize for the UK’s best new building:
Client: Hastings Pier Charity
Awards: RIBA Southeast Award 2017, RIBA Southeast Project Architect of the Year 2017 and RIBA Southeast Client of the Year 2017 and RIBA National Award 2017
photograph : Alex de Rijke
It has taken a seven-year heroic collaboration to turn a smouldering pier in disrepair and decline into a vibrant public space with a palpable sense of ownership. This collaboration has been between the community, the Council, the engineers and the architect and it is the architect’s vision which has been vital throughout to steer the process. After extensive stakeholder consultation, it was clear to dRMM that the pier would be expected to host many different populist scenarios.
photo : Alex de Rijke
Predictably enough, it transpired that it had to be everything to everybody, with an absent owner not responding to the increasingly Dangerous Structure repair requirements, and no rebuild budget available in a run-down seaside town. Lateral thinking was required to make a structurally and socially sustainable project actually happen. The architects had to write the brief and help raise the budget before redesigning the pier.
Their ‘master-move’ and response to this brief was to design a strong, community led/owned serviced platform which could accommodate a whole host of uses, from music concerts, to international markets. ‘In homage to conceptualist Cedric Price, users bring their own architecture to plug in and play.’ This concept is really working in practice and should be commended.
photo : Alex de Rijke
The decision not to place any building at the end of the pier, which is possibly the obvious position to site a building, is an extremely powerful move. The large open space provides a sense of calmness and delight, with a strong connection to the sea and the seafront. The experience of free space and ‘walking on water’ is heightened by the optics of a very beautiful, louvred balustrade design and quality timber deck.
The new visitor centre replacing the weakest section of the damaged pier is a relatively simple CLT structure clad in reclaimed timber which was salvaged from the original fire-damaged pier. This helps to create a strong feeling of place and belonging. It boosts an elevated, rooftop belvedere where locals go for a coffee or cup of soup. It offers adaptable space for events, exhibitions and education. Reclaimed timber deck furniture was designed by dRMM and Hastings & Bexhill Wood Recycling as part of a local employment initiative.
image : dRMM
The new pier is not a lonely pier: rather, it is extremely welcoming in its design, with free, open entry to the public. It offers flexibility, material and functional sustainability, and an uninterrupted vista of the natural and built surroundings. This is a Heritage Lottery Funded project and it has become a catalyst for urban regeneration.
From a conservation perspective, this project has reinvigorated a fire-damaged historic structure and facilitated a contemporary and appropriate new 21st century use. The project has been mindful to integrate material from the original pier in the new design, and the process of restoration was used to help train a new generation of craft specialists.
picture : dRMM
Contractor Hastings Pier Charity
Structural Engineer Ramboll UK
Environmental / M&E Engineer Ramboll UK
Quantity Surveyor / Cost Consultant PT Projects
Marine Engineers Ramboll UK
Internal area 11,720.00 m²
Hastings Pier Renewal images / information from RIBA
21 Mar 2017
Hastings Pier Renewal Shortlisted for RIBA Southeast Awards 2017
One of fourteen buildings shortlisted for RIBA Southeast 2017 Awards:
RIBA Southeast Award for Hastings Pier Redevelopment by dRMM Architects
31 Jan 2011
Hastings Pier Competition Winner
Winner Announced for Hastings Pier Regeneration Scheme
de Rijke Marsh Morgan are announced today as the winners of the competition to select an architect for the redevelopment of Hastings Pier. Launched in October last year by RIBA Competitions on behalf of Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust (HPWRT), the competition attracted over 50 expressions of interest from architects from the UK and beyond.
HPWRT was established with the ultimate goal of reopening and revitalising the pier as a community based asset. Opened in 1872 the pier is prominently positioned, but over the years its condition has been left to deteriorate, and it was completely closed to the public in 2008. The competition announcement asked for architects with ‘exceptional design skills’ and experience in engaging the local community.
de Rijke Marsh Morgan were one of a shortlist of six practices chosen from over 50 applicants. Also on the shortlist were Niall Laughlin Architects, Wilkinson Eyre Architects, FAT, Adams & Sutherland and White Arkitekter AB.
RIBA architectural adviser and jury panel member Simon Barker of Barker Shorten said “It was a difficult job to chose a winner from the incredibly high quality of the practices who were shortlisted, but I think that dRMM will be a very good choice: a practice that will bring to the project really high quality design, as well as a commitment to working sensitively and responsively with communities.”
photos courtesy of Wood Awards, 1 Aug 2017
Tina Reid, or HPWRT added “The pier burned down just after we advertised the competition for an Architect, which was devastating. However, the interest we received in the competition and the quality of the practices was extremely heartening. The six shortlisted practices were all excellent. de Rijke Marsh Morgan gave a particularly impressive presentation and question and answer session. They showed flexibility and lateral thinking in their designs, as well as value for money. They also showed a very open approach to consultaton with Hastings community, with no preconceptions of how the pier should look. Every member of the panel was in agreement with de Rijke Marsh Morgan as our first choice and we are looking forward to working with them”
dRMM will now work closely with HPWRT to support them in their future funding and design development strategy, to develop a design and delivery plan that will help HPWRT achieve its ultimate ambition for a revitalised pier that will kick-start the wider regeneration of Hastings and St Leonards.
Alex de Rijke said “dRMM are delighted to be part of this unique project to work with the Trust in recreating Hastings Pier. Our first priority is to secure approvals for the clearance of above-deck fire debris, as well as for emergency repairs to the below-deck structure. Then we shall work closely with both the Trust and the local community to redefine the Pier’s potential for a sustainable future. We need a design that can work as a catalyst for further regeneration of Hastings and St. Leonards.”
de Rijke Marsh Morgan – dRMM
Previously:
11 Nov 2010 – expressions of interest deadline
Hastings Pier Competition
Competition to Select an Architect for Hastings Pier Regeneration Re-launched
RIBA Competitions is working with Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust (HPWRT) to support them in the selection of an architect for the redevelopment of the Pier. HPWRT was established with the ultimate goal of reopening and revitalising the pier as a community based asset.
Hastings Pier – Before & After photograph:
Hastings Pier photo : Barry Reid
The competition was originally launched on 24th September, however a fire in the early hours of the morning on 5th October resulted in the competition being put on hold. A sub-structural survey was commissioned by Hastings Borough Council on 11th October which has suggested that whilst damage to the pier is substantial, there has been minimum impact to the columns of the sub-structure. Therefore, although some emergency work is needed to stabilise the pier, the original ambition behind the project remains, and the decision is to proceed with the competition to select an architect for the pier’s redevelopment.
Opened in 1872, the pier is prominently positioned in the heart of the vibrant seaside towns of Hastings and St Leonards. Even before the fire, the pier was in a poor state of repair, and over recent years its condition has been left to deteriorate. In June 2006 the pier was partially closed, completely closing to the public in 2008.
The ambition is to select an architect design team to work with the HPWRT to support them in their future funding and design development strategy. Applications to Community Buildings and Heritage Lottery Funds for the renovation and redevelopment costs are underway. Selection of the successful design team will be by competitive interview, and HPWRT is hoping to attract interest from designers with exceptional design skills and experience in engaging the local community. The deadline for expressions of interest is 11th November.
24 Sep 2010
Architect Sought for Hastings Pier Regeneration Scheme
RIBA Competitions has been appointed by Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust (HPWRT) to support them in the selection of an architect for the redevelopment of Hastings Pier.
Hastings Pier
Opened in 1872, Hastings Pier is prominently positioned in the heart of the vibrant seaside towns of Hastings and St Leonards. Over recent years the condition of the pier has been left to deteriorate and in June 2006 the pier was partially closed, completely closing to the public in 2008.
HPWRT was established with the ultimate goal of reopening and revitalising the pier as a community based asset. The view is that the pier will continue to deteriorate unless vital restoration work takes place. A compulsory purchase order of the pier has now been agreed by Hastings Borough Council, with a back to back transfer to HPWRT. The aim is now to select an architect design team to work with the HPWRT to support them in their future funding and design development strategy. Applications to Community Buildings and Heritage Lottery Funds for the renovation and redevelopment costs are underway.
Selection of the successful design team will be by competitive interview, and HPWRT is hoping to attract interest from designers with exceptional design skills and experience in engaging the local community. Experience in working in historical setting is ideal but not essential. The deadline for expressions of interest is Thursday 14th October 2010.
Another Sussex Pier:
Brighton’s West Pier
image : F10 Studios
Brighton’s West Pier
Website: Hastings Pieer Renewal – RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist page
Location: Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex, England, UK
Sussex Building Designs
Another Hastings structure on e-architect:
Jerwood Gallery
HAT Projects
photo : Ioana Marinescu
Hastings Gallery Building
Recent Sussex Building Designs – Selection
Brighton i360
Marks Barfield architects
image : F10 Studios
Brighton i360
Bexhill-on-Sea Shelter, East Sussex
Tite & Ebdon
picture from RIBA
Bexhill-on-Sea Shelter Competition
Sussex Buildings – Selection
East Beach café, West Sussex
Design: Heatherwick Studio
photo : Andy Stagg
East Beach Building
Charleston Museum Project, East Sussex
Jamie Fobert with Julian Harrap
image from architect
Charleston Museum
Chichester Regional Museum
Keith Williams Architects
picture from architect
Chichester Museum
De La Warr Pavilion, East Sussex
Royal Alexandra Hospital Brighton
English Building Designs
Contemporary English Building Designs – recent architectural selection from e-architect below:
New English Buildings : current, chronological list
Comments / photos for the Hastings Pier – England Architecture page welcome
Website: Hastings, England