The authorities of the small seaside resort of Littlehampton are systematically raising the prestige of the city at the expense of modern public buildings. Over the past few years, quirky beachside cafes from Thomas Heatherwick and Asif Khan have appeared here, and a 324-meter bench along the coast from Studio Weave. Not so long ago, they were joined by the open-air stage from Flanagan Lawrence. This year, the construction of British architects was highly appreciated by the professional community and received several notable awards at once.
The Flanagan Lawrence architects adopted the popular Victorian stage parks as a prototype for a new, truly attractive object. The choice is not accidental also because it was in the 2nd half of the 19th century that the Littlehampton resort was at the peak of its popularity. In general, the new pavilion evokes many allusions, and very different ones, but with its graceful, soft bend, it is precisely localized among the surrounding coastal dunes and waves.
The white, smooth "shell" with a thickness of only 100 mm (the edge is thickened to 150 mm) is made of concrete, "sprayed" on steel reinforcement. The structure faces a spacious green lawn and organizes an open space for various events, so necessary for the city. The streamlined shape of the pavilion has been calculated taking into account the acoustic characteristics, so it can be successfully used for concerts as well - the wrong "half-dome" reflects the sound, directing it to the audience. The second, slightly smaller shell, on the other hand, faces the sea and gives you the opportunity to retire and observe nature in a relaxed way. Music in it is practically inaudible, but you can enjoy the sound of the surf to your heart's content.
