Pier into the future of Weston-super-Mare
A series of futuristic designs have been unveiled in a contest to design a new pavilion for Weston-super-Mare's Grand Pier.
The alternative looks for the multi-million-pound project will be put on display to the public for the first time today.
A total of six designs have been put together by four Bristol-based architects – Stride Treglown, Acanthus Ferguson Mann, Angus Meek and AWW – along with two from London architects Grimshaw and Ray Hole.
The Weston pier's pavilion was destroyed by a massive blaze eight weeks ago. Fire investigators have yet to publish their report into the exact cause of the blaze.
Demolition work on the remains is under way and pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael want to have its replacement open within the next two years.
Mr Michael said: "They have all put a tremendous amount of work into these designs and we now have to look at the details before making a decision on the way forward.
"We set out a brief for the architects and this is their interpretation.
"Our view has always been that we want an up-to-date building that is an exciting leisure attraction that also reflects the tradition of being the centrepiece of a Victorian seafront.
"Now we must look at the costings of how much the designs will require to be built and how much will have to be spent on running costs and maintenance in the future; what attractions can fit into and alongside the designs and also take into account the views of people who visit the pier."
Stride Treglown's design incorporates a giant Ferris wheel within a glass pavilion and features several floors inside.
The outside includes a giant sweeping walkway up to a lower roof platform with views out to sea and a second walkway up to the highest point of the complex with views to Weston.
Ray Hole's design is of a modern metal dome-like design on two levels, with glass windows and a glass-encased walkway from the shore.
The third design, by Grimshaw, features a slanting yellow pavilion, with a walkway around the entire structure.
The most futuristic looking design is provided by AWW and shows a multi-level glass pavilion with a huge monorail-type vehicle travelling along sweeping roller coaster-like tracks and a wind turbine on the deck.
Angus Meek's design is a coloured glass-fronted pavilion surrounded by four tall corner cylinders and a walkway around the entire building. It also features a new wave-shaped undercover walkway along the waist of the pier.
The final design, by Acanthus Ferguson Mann, features a metal wave design with access to the roof space and two walkways to the shore – one on top of the other.
All designs are on show from 10am today at the Winter Gardens' H20 bar on the seafront.
Grand Pier architectural consultant Bob Hardcastle will be in attendance most days from 11am to 1pm to answer any questions people have and he will be impartial in respect of the architects' submissions.
The pier owners will take into account the public's views and will also be discussing their chosen scheme with English Heritage, the Environment Agency, the Government Office South West, the South West Regional Development Agency, South West Tourism and North Somerset Council. All will have input into the final decision on the pier replacement.
Which design do you like best? Tell us by posting your story comment here.
For more details on local days out, visit www.crackerjack.co.uk
47 Comments
View all
by Barry, Nailsea
Friday, October 03 2008, 4:13PM
“Angus Meek - It's the nearest design to the old pier and yet looks modern as well. i really like the idea of keeping the towers in the design.”
by None-YA, brizzle
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 9:26PM
“does the blue water come with Grimshaw's one? if so then that one
but
AWW is the best i rekon”
by Jon, Bristol
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 3:33PM
“My personal preference would be Angus Meek or Ray Hole. The others clearly didn't listen to the brief that called for a 21st century version of the previous pier.
The AFM concept looks like a rip off of the Beijing Birdsnest, the AWW concept looks like an air traffic control tower, I agree that the Grimshaw concept looks like a giant skip and Stride Treglown's concept looks completely out of place for Weston although I quite like the idea, but can't imagine the outside bit being terrible practical as whenever I've been to Weston it's been raining, overcast or you been sand blasted by the wind.
If I was pressed for a final decision, based on what's been published, I would say Angus Meek's design as I think it's the most attractive building.”
by JoJo, Bristol
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 3:29PM
“But Bob, little seaside places are all about 2p slot machines, candy floss, ice cream, a walk along a Victorian/Edwardian pier. Why does it have to move with the times? Who says?”
by Bob (aka Jibbywib), Clifton
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 3:22PM
“For the person that enquired what the people discussing the issue would do, I would favour an innovative culturally relvant building, not some antiquated relic filled with 2p slot machines..”
by JoJo, Bristol
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 3:21PM
“Bob, are you Jibbywibby? I'm getting confused. Not sure who I'm supposed to be answering now.”
by Bob, Clifton
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 3:15PM
“Jo Jo how can you class my comments as short sighted in the extreme when I simply advocated dragging Weston into the modern age? Perhaps you would prefer this dated, dwindling town to stay in the past but I would advocate regenation, modernisation and cultural growth. Hardly narrow minded.
If you are going to be critical then use evidence for your criticim that is relevant to back up your viewpoint.”
by James S, Southville
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 3:12PM
“There is this oddly British obsession with only ever doing things that have been done before, living in some rose tinted past rather than living in the now. Modern developments are full of patchwork houses that fuse various elements of British house design - Victorian brickwork with mock Tudor panelling all topped off with an arts and crafts pitched roof, a nice set of chimney pots despite the fact the houses are entirely central heated.
Given the chance to do something that looks to the future it often seems people would choose to turn their backs on it and hide in some idealised version of the past.
The trouble with trying to do anything vaguely historical is that we're terrible at it.
Rather than try to keep Weston pier in some time warp where progression never intrudes and we can all pretend it's just like life never happened let's embrace progress, welcome the fact the owners of the pier haven't given up after the fire but have worked hard to try and bring a new vision, a new future, to the shores of Weston-Super-Mare.”
by Barnaby Farquhar, Clifton
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 2:54PM
“Apologies, to elaborate in my previous comment, i do realise that pier construction is a niche market in itself. To employ a pier building company with skills from the Edwardian era is possibly a niche to far...”
by Barnaby Farquhar, Clifton
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 2:53PM
“Another thing to take into account is the skills of the builders.
The skills that builders have these days are vastly different to the ones that the people that constructed the pier had when it was initially constructed.
I'm not saying that there aren't any people with these skills, but they will be more expensive to employ them, due to the niche market that these people operate in.”