For me to understand reasons behind the redevelopment and change at Hastings Pier, I approached dRMM architects in an attempt to find out how they approached the project and what inspired them to make decisions they made. I spoke to a designer called Fridah:

 

- Why did you decide to take up the design challenge of redeveloping Hastings Pier/ what drew you to this particular project?

F: We decided to pitch for the project because there is a really brilliant heritage to the pier and local area. The project offered an opportunity to explore and try to work on something that was different to other piers around. We were drawn by the fact we could help bring a community together with the project.

 

- When considering the initial design proposals, did you consult/ liaise with the community to take into account their opinion?

F: Our approach was simple: to develop the project with the people of Hastings through a series of participation events and workshops. We discovered a community that was individualistic and eclectic but with a proud shared identity embodied in the pier.

 

- Does this feel like a community project, have you found locals to be proactive in giving their opinion/help/donations?

F: Yes, very much so. In particular with the help of Hastings Pier charity, many people not just from the local community but even internationally have donated in the ‘adopt a plank ‘scheme. We have held many focus groups to gain an understanding of opinion.

 

- Were there any piers you looked to, to inspire the design or future function of Hastings pier?

F: We did look at some piers outside the UK, especially from Holland and Japan to get a different perspective to what we are used to in the UK. We also looked deeply into the history of British piers and those especially around the south coast.

 

- What made you decide to redesign Hastings Pier in a contemporary manner/ are there any elements of the pier which acknowledge its design history or keep its original heritage?

F: With the fire destroying so much of the previous structure on the pier, we looked to come up with a really fresh take on the pier to make it a more popular attraction in today’s market. We kept the surviving pavilion at the landward end – renovating it into a modern restaurant and opening it up to have a better connection with the sea.

 

- In your opinion do you think the redevelopment of piers should all be designed with the future in mind, or would you regard maintaining the heritage of piers a fundamental factor?

F: While working on Hastings Pier, the fundamental factor we thought about was the heritage, knowing the history of the pier and reasons for its popularity in the past. Then we used these as guidelines and took a modern design approach to get to our proposal. The project may look contemporary, but the way in which you interact with architecture and the sea reflects the history.

 

- Form or function, which has been the dominant factor of this redevelopment?

F: Function, our approach was to have a function that would attract a wide range of people to the pier in the future, whist the form is pretty simple, to keep the connection with the sea. 

 

- The recent fire damage which destroyed part of Eastbourne Pier, during the summer of 2014 has brought about the reconstruction of the pier. What would be your design approach for Eastbourne pier, would you maintain its heritage or design for the future?

F: The fire is a great shame but of course I think now there is opportunity to develop the pier in a different way, just like we’ve done at Hastings. The heritage is of course very important but designing to meet current and future demands is the most important approach to think about.