white arkitekter: southend pier cultural centre

‘southend pier cultural centre’ by white arkitekter and sprunt image © luke hayes all images courtesy of white arkitekter

located at the endpoint of the world’s longest pleasure pier, the ‘southend pier cultural centre’ by swedish practice white arkitekter and london-based sprunt is now complete. the landmark structure reaches 9 meters at its highest point. a wrapped roof of sweeping geometric form reflects the windswept conditions of the site and serves to protect full height glazed elevations. the entry is recessed within a sheltered cafe terrace, oriented to overlook the sea.

the sloping exterior walls are clad with GRP cladding, offering a translucent sheen which changes from white to a greenish grey during the shifting daylight. the pier promenade is given a new purpose and returns the site to its original purpose as a tourist attraction and destination. the building was constructed at tilbury docks and then transported and installed in one piece by crane.

image © luke hayes

image © luke hayes

image © luke hayes

image © luke hayes

image © luke hayes

image © luke hayes

site context

site plan 1. eastern slip 2. northern slip 3. stairs to lower deck 4. culture centre 5. sub station 6. existing cafe 7. old pier head 8. train station 9. concrete pier 10. RNLI station

floor plan / level 0

1. eastern slip 2. northern slip 3. stairs to lower deck 4. airlock 5. lobby 6. artists’ stdio 7. multipurpose space 8. flexible cafe service area 9. kitchen 10. storage 11. cleaning 12. disabled toilet 13. men toilets 14. women toilets

floor plan / level 1 1. eastern slip 2. northern slip 3. stairs to lower deck 4. culture centre

southend cultural centre – the big lift from apricot productions on vimeo