Grand Pier Weston-Super-Mare (G.B.)

Il lavoro, in linea con l’assetto originario della struttura, posiziona l’edificio alla maniera di una gigantesca palafitta, sospesa a dieci metri d’altezza e collocata a trecento metri dalla spiaggia. La costruzione riutilizzerà i pali di fondazione, in modo da limitare peso e massa edilizia. A crescere sarà, invece, l’altezza del volume, in modo tale da potervi albergare un elevato numero di attività. Come in passato, quattro torri saranno piazzate agli angoli esterni dell’edificio.

Un camminamento sul mare, che condurrà all’ingresso principale del padiglione, costituirà l’asse attorno al quale sarà articolato l’interno volume. Protagonista indiscussa all’interno del padiglione, la grande area centrale ricca di nuove attrazioni ed attività. Dei camminamenti perimetrali consentiranno l’accesso ai piani ammezzati ed una chiara circolazione, nonché la possibilità di osservare quanto avviene sui vari livelli del complesso.

La facciata sud della struttura, anch’essa in vetro, permetterà una piacevole vista sul mare, conferendo una luminosità naturale allo spazio interno. All’esterno, delle sedute protette da pergolati, forniranno ai visitatori un luogo dove riposare, chiacchierare e restare all’aria aperta.

Sul fronte nord dell’edificio, più ombreggiato, saranno ubicati gli spazi dedicati al personale, i magazzini, gli uffici e i servizi igienici. Sulla punta estrema del molo, collocata in asse col resto della struttura e protetta da pareti in vetro con vista mare, dei punti ristoro.

COMPETITION PROPOSALS DESIGN STATEMENT

The design is conceived as a 21st century landmark that draws its inspiration from the basic form and character of a traditional pier pavilion. This includes features such as corner towers, articulated roof forms and a symmetry that responds to the journey a visitor makes along the pier walkway.

The built from is arranged along this axis, which is generated by the promenade walkway and which culminates at the main entrance to the pavilion.

The main entrance welcomes the visitor by revealing the pier’s attractions through a full height multicoloured glass screen. Visitors enter the pavilion beneath a canopy that gives a ‘smile’ to the building.

MAIN HALL

The great height of the main hall creates a dramatic setting for attractions within the pavilion. The hall is surrounded by mezzanine floors with perimeter walkways that provide clear circulation routes and the opportunity to see or be seen from level to level.

Activities within the building will focus on the main hall providing a vibrant and exciting experience.

The structure of the new building re-uses the column positions of the previous pavilion, echoing the past pavilion, but with increased height to allow the installation of larger activities.


MEZZANINE CAFE

A cafe is provided above the main entrance, located to benefit from high level views to the attractions below whilst also allowing visitors to enjoy the ‘rooftop’ view of Weston.

SOUTHERN FACADE

The southern side of the main hall responds to the sun; with a glazed façade providing fantastic sea views from within the pavilion and giving natural light to the interior space.
The southern facade incorporates angled coloured panels painted to reflect the multi-coloured beach huts found lining many of the country's traditional resorts. The indented facade also provides seating alcoves, sheltered from the rain, as a place to meet, dine or relax in the sun.

NORTHERN FACADE

The northern side by contrast is more shady and therefore a more suitable place for locating support accommodation such as visitor toilets, storage, plantrooms and workshop areas as well as staff facilities and offices. Through-routes are still provided allowing full permeability between the main floor and the promenade walkways.

JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE PIER

The Western Pier Spur, sited at the end of the axis along the promenade and through the building, becomes a ‘destination’ housing restaurant and cafe facilities to cater for varied tastes and food options. The route between the main pavilion and the spur is by means of a glass corridor providing all year round protection from the elements. Kitchen and toilet blocks serving the restaurant are positioned either side of this axial route that opens into the double height glazed restaurant at the end of the pier. Within the restaurant a mezzanine deck provides elevated views across the Bristol Channel for diners. The glazing can be protected from the elements by concealed storm shutters housed in the flank walls of the kitchen blocks. The axial route through the restaurant finally space leads out on the lower deck, a quieter contemplative spot to take in the view and sea air.

FUNCTION ROOMS

Flexible ‘function rooms’ which are capable of adapting to varying sizes and forms of gathering will be provided. Moveable screens and walls together with flexible seating allow the possibility for the pier to become host to a wide variety of events from Weddings to Business Conferences, Performances and Exhibitions. The function space opens onto a private roof terrace.


STRUCTURE

The building structure has been based on the grid of the retained sub structure with the main structure of the building being a series of lightweight 'space frames'. The re-use of the existing pier piles and columns will also limit the loading and building mass and lightweight forms of construction will have to be used.