English Beach Hut Competition : Information

30 Sep 2009 Winning design for Boscombe's new beach huts for disabled users Following a highly successful competition attracting 173 original entries from all over the world, a winning design for four iconic new beach huts for disabled users at Boscombe has been selected, subject to Cabinet member approval. 'The Seagull and the Windbreak' by Peter Francis Lewis of Brighton based design consultancy AEREA in conjunction with a:b:i:r architects takes two of the most iconic symbols of the British seaside as inspiration for their design. Designer Peter Francis Lewis explains: "The seagull is represented by the canopy roof, each wing covering a pair of semi-detached beach huts. The curved horizontal bands of the exterior take their cue from the classic windbreak." Each hut will accommodate up to four wheelchair users and include high colour contrast surfaces, tactile floor surfaces to assist the visually impaired, adjustable height kitchen units with a gas stove and a communal outside area that incorporates a fresh water fountain and wash basin. Speaking about the winning design, Andrew Emery, Boscombe Sea Change Project Manager, said: "The winning team engaged fully with the brief to come up with a hut design which is both iconic and accessible. The new huts will be the first purpose designed accessible beach huts in the UK and will present another positive addition to Boscombe's regeneration." 'The Seagull and the Windbreak' was unanimously selected by a panel of seven, including disability access and design professionals, following two days of interviews and consultation with disabled beach users. Mary McManus, Principle Consultant, DOTS Disability, said: "Our involvement has ensured that local disabled people's needs have been comprehensively considered throughout. We hope that the project will help challenge the assumption that accessibility is only about function and practicalities." Faheem Aftab, CABE, added: "The large number and standard of entries to this competition was very high which made the judging a tough task. On behalf of the CABE's Inclusion By Design Group I should like to congratulate all of the entrants for their hard work and creative concepts." It is intended that the completed huts, which will be located to the west of Boscombe Pier, adjacent to Coasters restaurant, will be ready for disabled users to rent next summer. The £100,000 scheme is being funded by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) as part of the Sea Change culture-led investment scheme. Boscombe Beach Hut Competition images / information from a:b:i:r architects Previously: Boscombe Beach Hut Competition : Search is on for beach hut designers Today sees the launch of an exciting competition to design and build innovative new beach huts specifically for disabled beach users in Boscombe. Professional artists, architects and designers are invited to submit bold and dramatic concepts to reinvent a row of beach huts specifically for disabled beach users. The new huts will form a key part of Boscombe Sea Change, a regeneration scheme funded by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), which will deliver the UK's only purpose-designed accessible beach facilities. Boscombe seafront is a suburb of Bournemouth, one of the UK's top seaside resorts, located two hours from London on the south coast. Boscombe is currently being transformed from years of urban decline into one of the most innovative seaside regeneration schemes in Europe. Facilities include Europe's first artificial surf reef and Beach Pods designed by Hemingway Design. The winning submission will secure a £100,000 contract to detail design and build the four iconic beach huts. Submission deadline for models: 26th June 2009. Further arts-based commissions will follow. Keep up to date via www.bournemouth.gov.uk All enquiries by 29th May to Andrew.emery@bournemouth.gov.uk Boscombe Beach Hut Competition images / information from Bournemouth Council