Research Project.
Thomas Iles
Interior Architecture & Design Year 4.
N0362462
Conclusion:
Intro:
It is a sad site to see any building or structure to be in the state which Brighton West Pier is currently in. This is one case study which I spent time looking at but many piers around the UK are now lost or in a similar derelict state. In this page I will conclude my findings and put together a design brief based on them to finish my research on the future of Eastbourne Pier.
My Findings:
In my research I have found that piers in many respects have not changed. Walking and having views out over the sea, with fresh air is something that people enjoyed in the 1800s when piers first started to appear, but is also a large reason why people still visit piers today. Piers have developed and included different forms of buildings and entertainment from theatre to fair rides. The style in which they were built and the buildings on them have also developed to suit the change in fasions, and that is what I believe needs to continue to make Eastbourne pier a success in the future. The case study I believe is most relevant to this statement, is Hastings Pier which later this year will be open to the public again. It has a new contemporary visitor centre and a large amount of outdoor space for events which can be used all year round, including a large roof structure which moves along the pier. The design also holds on to the only existing pavilion structure at the landward end.
Piers are more commonly becoming derelict or unused, I believe the main reason for this was the introduction of package holidays and now budget airlines from the 1950’s. This was the time of a huge fashion change when popular English holiday towns were beginning to lose out to people being able to afford to fly abroad for summer holidays. The effect this had on piers I believe is that at this time piers were aiming to attract holiday makers in to spend money, so when holiday makers began to go elsewhere less money was being brought in to maintain piers. Now the demands have changed I think a pier should focus on attracting people for day trips, and encourage locals to come and build a community around it, rather than looking to holiday makers.
One important aspect of my research to see the success that other developments on piers recently has brought. Deal and Hastings are the two examples that I visited, Deal has added a contemporary restaurant/café to the pier head which attracts walkers everyday who are mainly local, the improved facilities has increased the use of the pier. Hastings, Bristol and Southend are other examples within the UK where piers are being, or have been successfully redeveloped with a positive impact on the use and demand of each pier.
Design Brief:
For my final design project, my research project will give a good guideline for the direction it should take. Using the findings from my research I will come up with a design brief to help form these guidelines for my project. The design brief will be a useful tool to look back on when I am working on ideas and development for my project.
- I will need to analyse and see what aspects of the existing pier are still popular attractions or if they should be changed or removed to suit the new pier.
- Make sure I respect and incorporate the history of the British Pier, the heritage around Eastbourne and the pier itself.
- My proposal should think about current trends and interests, to make sure that is popular all year round.
- The design style should be exciting, just like the original structures were exciting for those times, so that people want to visit, now and in the future.
- The space needs to flexible, so that it can accommodate needs now and those which may change in the future.
- The design needs to facilitate all age groups, all year round and not just in the summer.
- The proposal should represent Eastbourne in particular its connection with the sea.
- The building will be very exposed, so the structures and materials I consider and use will need to be fit to last on a pier. They should be sourced loacally and consider the enviromental impacts of materials, especially preserving the sealife.
-The development of the pier on the site will have to be put into stages. existing facilities which are still able to generate an income should look to be reopened if possible, this may mean a temporary path to get past the building works.
Site Model Photo's:
