Client |
Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust |
Location |
Torquay Harbour, Devon |
Budget |
£7.5 million |
Completed |
2003 |
Awards |
RIBA Regional Award 2004 & Michelmores / Western Morning News Project of the year 2002 |
To provide visitor attraction on the theme of coastal marine birds and mammals.
The site of Living Coasts is within a Conservation Area and adjacent to listed buildings. It occupies a previously derelict but very prominent coastal site, situated next to an attractive rocky cove at a point where Torquay Harbour ends and the sea cliffs start.
The objective of Living Coasts is to regenerate this part of the harbour and to give the visitor a new perspective on marine animals and birds and their conservation; in particular, being able to observe animal behaviour not easily seen in the wild.
Amongst the many demands of the new brief, emerged an overriding desire to repair the damage to the coastline in some way. The requirement to provide habitat for the coastal animals meant covering the surface with rocky pools, low cliffs and beaches. We manipulated this new landscape to effect the much needed ‘coastal repair’. All of the other accommodation is sited below surface level to maximise the new landscape opportunity.
Living Coasts comprises :
• |
Natural habitat with sea water pools for penguins, auks, waders,
seals, sea ducks, terns, etc. |
• |
An access path commencing at the low level entry point threading through the habitats. By slowly rising and falling, this easy path allows visitors close encounters with the animals above and below water without recourse to steps or lifts. |
• |
A tension structure containment net. |
• |
A shop, located in the ruins of the old Victorian spa. |
• |
A restaurant and terrace with stunning views over Tor Bay, coast and countryside. |
• |
Animal welfare facilities. |
• |
Offices for administration. |
• |
Biological seawater treatment plant. |
• |
Plant to control natural site resources to modulate heating and ventilation,
including sea water cooling of floor slabs. |
• |
Solar power for water heating. |
The site is within a Conservation Area and adjacent to listed buildings.
The structure is reinforced concrete and steel frame. The waterproofing is a Bauder Green Roof System. The artificial rock is made of GRC with the net being of steel with a polypropylene tension structure. Natural aggregates and muds were sourced to create the beaches and estuary. Timber, some reclaimed, is used extensively for other elements.
Planning permission was granted in September 2001. The contract value was £6.5m. Final demolition and site preparation commenced in January 2002 with the Contractors starting construction at the beginning of May 2002 with completion at the end of June 2003. Our Clients opened their doors to the public on 14 July 2003.
HRH The Princess Royal officially opened Living Coasts on 9 September 2003. This regeneration project won the Michelmores/Western Morning News Project of the Year Award 2002 and an RIBA Regional Award in 2004. |
