Client
Dover Sea Sports Development Trust
Size
500m2
Contract Value
£3M
Role
Architect and lead consultant
Key points
Contemporary design within the historic setting of Dover Castle and the famous White Cliffs (UK tentative list of potential sites for world heritage nomination)
Awards
South East Region Award
LABC – Building Excellence Award
Championed by The Dover Harbour Board, funded by grants and donations and situated on the beach, Dover Sea Sports Centre is the new modern home and focus for the many organisations and sports enthusiasts using the waters inside and outside the harbour.
The design brief required that the building occupy the minimum footprint practical to meet its operational needs; be massed to minimise its visual impact on the Listed Waterloo Terrace, White Cliffs and Dover Castle when viewed from several key viewpoints; and be designed to have its own character.
The location of the building in a harsh coastal environment was one of the driving forces behind materials selection, along with a desire to be as sustainable as possible in respect of material choice and sourcing. The building is a vibrant addition to the sea front and the focus for the regeneration of the area.