visual - Birnbeck Pier in Weston-Super-Mare is an amazing piece of British history yet it is currently derelict and abandoned, my design brings Birnbeck Pier back to life, celebrating its history and creating a dynamic future for it. She believes that it should be kept in the realm of the public. Exploring the issue of regeneration of seaside towns and how Birnbeck Pier which has such heritage and historical interest can be regenerated and kept in the realm of the public.
Plan - The promenade takes inspiration from the surroundings, looking at the movement of water and how the tide being the second highest tidal range in the world constantly changes the seascape around the pier, revealing, eroding, sculpting the land and peeling back layers of time. The design creates an interactive experience along the length of the pier that incorporates information about its history as well as enhancing interaction with the pier and site itself.
Elevation - There are two walkways that intertwine with the existing (Grade two listed) structure, which are inspired by the different states of the sea, one calm and meandering, the other jagged and rough. The meandering walkway dilates and expands revealing the structure and controlling the flow and speed of people between the five main areas of activities, creating areas of intense stimulation interwoven with areas of meandering calm.
Site location
Development sketchs
Cross sections - Each area is inspired by a different one of our senses, auditory, gustatory, optical, somatic, and olfactory; each heightens a particular sense, stimulating interaction with the surroundings as well as revealing information about its history. The jagged walkway undulates along the length and exaggerates the original concept of piers, walking to view the sea; each trajectory framing a surrounding landmark or linking to where the ferries historically used to travel to.
Visual
Cross Section Visual
Detail of Somatic Area
Model
Lightbox visual
lightbox visual
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