Research Project.
Thomas Iles
Interior Architecture & Design Year 4.
N0362462
“The people of Eastbourne view the pier as part of their own heritage and the focal point of the town and are determined to see it brought back to its original outstanding beauty.”
(Pitures of Eastbourne, Lionel Frazer, 2014)
The purpose of this site is to accumulate all of my ideas, findings and research for my design project, which focuses on the future of Eastbourne Pier. I will look to develop an understanding of the cultural importance and popularity of coastal piers, in the past and where they look to be heading to be popular in the future.
On the 30th July 2014 Eastbourne Pier was damaged by a fire, leaving the arcade building which was built in 1925, with only its steel structure remaining. Having attended Eastbourne College and living within a few 100 meters of the pier for 5 years whilst boarding at school, the news of this accident has interested me greatly, in particular seeing how the regeneration of the pier will be approached. My primary aim is to research and find out what the future of Eastbourne Pier is. I aim to understand the social, cultural and historical importance of the pier to the town, and develop an understanding of the history of piers in coastal towns around the UK. Including the style, structure, heritage, tourism and use each pier has, and the changes they've had since the Victorian times.
I will consider the use of a variety of primary and secondary research to develop my project. Surveys and questionnaires will give me an idea of community’s feelings towards piers, as well as those who may be visiting them. I will talk to professionals who have redeveloped or built structures recently to get there take on how a modern pier may vary, or offer different attractions to suit modern fashions and trends rather than those of Victorian times. Talking to professionals will give me an insight into the development of structures and materials used on piers. I will try to interview a member of the local council and the owners of the pier to see their view on tourism and the financial benefits it brings to the town. My secondary research will be using books, articles etc, I will look into the use of piers during the Victorian times, to the present day and look at how tourism and interaction with them has changed and developed over time. I should also consider the materials used in the construction of the pier, comparing them to what now could be used in the regeneration of the pier.