Research Project.
Thomas Iles
Interior Architecture & Design Year 4.
N0362462
Deal Pier:
08.12.2014
Sir John Rennie (Eugenius Birch 1864)
1838
Kent
76m, 336m, 313m
Concrete/Steel/Timber
1896, 1947, 1960s, 1970/1, 1982, 1987/8
/
1857
Pleasure Pier
Date Of Visit:
Designed By:
Built In:
Located:
Length:
Materials/Construction:
Restored In:
Damaged -
- Fire:
- Storm:
Function:
Relevance & Reason of Choice:
My inclusion of this case study on Deal Pier is because it is a pier which has looked to develop its facilities using a contemporary design, which potentially conflicts with the history of the structure. The design and purpose may now attract more visitors and also develop on what facilities the pier previously had, or locals may feel it does not reflect the history of the town nor community. I aim to answer this question with my following research, Deals pier is relevant to my research project because it allows me to see how successful a contemporary project has been on a pier which is local too and with a history as rich as Eastbourne’s.
Site Photos:
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Infographic:
Visiting Deal:
Timelapse Video:
Visiting deal; the pier is reasonably empty with the new café sitting out at the pier head the main reasons locals and tourists visited was to go fishing, enjoy a walk/views, or to visit the Café. The Café was built in 2007, it is glass which allows almost 360 panoramic views back out towards Deal and into the ocean. The timber cladding creates an interesting contemporary building. I found that both locals and tourists opinions differed quite a lot on whether the building was a success or not. Compared to the previous small café built when the pier re-opened in the 1950’s everyone was impressed with the facilities it had and thought it was all the pier really needed. Although not everyone was so keen on its design.
Some of the older locals I spoke to didn’t think the cafe really fitted with
the reinforced concrete walkway and structure, yet the majority of the
younger demographic thought it was positive and shows that the pier
still wants to attract people to visit, as evidently the benches and walkway
are becoming slightly worn ou through time.
“The actual design of it is ghastly but it
is a lot better than the previous café.”
(Racheal Hickman 08.12.2014)
On Deal pier I made a time-lapse video to help analyse how people use and interact with the pier. As visible in the video, and from the people I spoke too, the pier is mainly used for walking and fishing by locals, and visitors often come down to the café. Due to the time of year of my visit, I don’t think as many people were using the Café facilities as they would expect in the summer months.