Scottish Architectural Students ‘Pier’ into the Future
RIAS PR: 9 Apr 2008
Winning entries for dynamic redevelopment of Helensburgh Pier announced
A Neopolitan of timber clad pier, landscaped recreation and shielded car
parking, a ‘Garden of Eden’, a Royal Festival Hall on Helensburgh
Pier, a celebration of the water’s edge, a house of fun and a thought
provoking apocalyptic vision of global warming are amongst the winning
entries for an open student architectural competition organised by the
Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland on behalf of Helensburgh
and District Civic Society.
The competition sought new ideas from students of the six schools of Scottish
architecture for the dynamic redevelopment of Helensburgh Pier for public
enjoyment. The aim was to encourage concepts which will revitalise the
pier environment and enhance the town's seafront by distinctive, innovative
designs which could allow present long established public uses for leisure,
recreation and tourism to continue but in an attractive, high quality
and appealing setting. The brief sought ideas for a new swimming pool,
restaurant, car parking, open space for public events, sea views, a fun
fair, children's play area and skate board facility.
A prize fund of £3,000 is to be shared amongst the winning entrants.
Architect David Page will present the prizes at a reception, attended
by Provost William Petrie and Neil Baxter, RIAS Secretary & Treasurer,
at Helensburgh Lawn Tennis Clubhouse on 9th April. The evening will also
highlight the launch of an exhibition of all the entries in the gallery
of Helensburgh Library from 10th - 24th April.
The winning entry (detail, pictured left) was designed by Logan Doak,
who studied at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture at The Robert
Gordon University, Aberdeen and is currently working at Atkins Global
on a year out. His proposal features a contemporary timber-clad pier,
landscaped recreation area and shielded car parking, aligned with the
town grid.
The judges praised the entrants on the diversity of solutions offered.
However, they agreed that the winning scheme was the most resolved, visionary
yet practical of the solutions on offer. The judges congratulate Logan
Doak on his winning design and commend this competition to the people
of Helensburgh as an important catalyst towards a major reappraisal of
the town’s seafront.
“The RIAS was delighted to support this competition. Visionary ideas
enliven the debate and our student members have demonstrated a very positive
engagement with Helensburgh’s future,” said Arnie Dunn, President
of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland.
“We are delighted with the quality and number of entries for the
competition,” commented Findlay McQuarrie of the Civic Society. “We
set the students a difficult challenge and they have responded with original
proposals for the Helensburgh pier area. The winning entries are worthy
of serious study.”
The Helensburgh & District Civic Society will submit and champion
the winning design concept as the preferred way forward to the Argyll
& Bute Council, The Helensburgh Partnership and other relevant bodies.
Helensburgh (2001 pop 14626) is an attractive seaside town situated on
the north bank of the Firth of Clyde against the background of the Glen
Fruin Hills. It grew up in the 19 century as a residential town for well-to-do
Glasgow merchants, but later became popular as a tourist destination,
particularly for Glasgow visitors. It is an early example of a “garden
city” layout with many fine villas designed by distinguished Scottish
architects, notable amongst them being Charles Rennie Mackintosh who designed
the internationally acclaimed Hill House.
The panel of judges included architects of national standing, Douglas
Read, Past President RIAS, of Dignan, Read and Dewar, Edinburgh and David
N Page, of Page and Park, Glasgow, - both of whom have links with Helensburgh
- and Terry Levinthal, Director of the Scottish Civic Trust. The panel
also included Anne Urquhart, Secretary of the Lomond and Clyde Tourist
Association, Gordon Tran, of Helensburgh Community Council and Jack Rudram,
of the Civic Society.
The Pier area is currently designated in the 1990 Dumbarton District Wide
Local Plan for leisure, recreation, tourism and community uses. The emerging
Argyll and Bute Local Plan proposes to re-designate the pier area as “town
centre” and identifies it as an Area for Action (AFA). Whilst a supermarket
has been expressly deleted from the AFA other town centre uses remain
possible under the proposed designation. This “town centre”
designation has been objected to by the Civic Society and the Helensburgh
Community Council who wish to retain the current zoning for leisure, recreation,
tourism and community uses. The matter is now with the Local Plan Inquiry
Reporter for resolution
Judging commenced on this RIAS Competition, announcement due 31 Mar
RIAS PR: Jan 2008
ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION FOR HELENSBURGH PIER
New ideas for the dynamic redevelopment of Helensburgh Pier for public
enjoyment are being sought by Helensburgh and District Civic Society.
In an exciting initiative, the Civic Society has enlisted the support
of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) in organising
an open architectural competition for students.
The competition with a prize fund of £3000 has been launched to
students in the six Scottish schools of architecture.
The aim is to encourage entries that have the potential to revitalise
the pier environment and enhance the town's seafront by distinctive, innovative
designs which could allow present long established public uses for leisure,
recreation and tourism to continue - but in an attractive, high quality
and appealing setting. The brief (downloadable from www.rias.org.uk) seeks
ideas for a new swimming pool, restaurant, adequate car parking, open
space for public events, sea views, a fun fair, children's play area and
skate board facility.
Entrants are being told that the pier area should make a positive contribution
towards the regeneration of the town by transforming it to become an attraction
for residents and a destination for visitors.
The panel of judges will include architects of national standing, Douglas
Read, Past President RIAS, of Dignan, Read and Dewar, Edinburgh and David
N Page, of Page and Park, Glasgow, - both of whom have links with Helensburgh
- and Terry Levinthal, Director of the Scottish Civic Trust. Local judges
will be Anne Urquhart, Secretary of the Lomond and Clyde Tourist Association,
Gordon Tran, of Helensburgh Community Council and Jack Rudram, of the
Civic Society. It is proposed to put the winning entry on display for
comments by the people of Helensburgh.
"Other towns have benefited from design competitions and we believe
that Helensburgh, which possesses distinguished public and domestic buildings,
should inspire exciting leisure buildings that could add lustre to a seafront
regarded as the "jewel in Helensburgh's crown.," said Findlay
McQuarrie, of the Civic Society.
Arnie Dunn President of the RIAS, said: "The RIAS is delighted that
the competition will tap into the creative talents of the next generation
of architects. The design challenge for the most prominent site in Helensburgh
is one that will be relished. The results will, I am sure,
produce ideas which will be of assistance to all who are interest in seeing
improvements to the seafront."
Mr Terry Levinthal, Director of the Scottish Civic Trust, said: "The
Scottish Civic Trust welcomes this initiative by the Civic Society,
This competition will provide an exciting opportunity to influence how
Helensburgh develops, and will help inform the public and decision-takers.
It demonstrates the positive influence that a Civic Society can have on
their community."
Enquiries to:
Findlay McQuarrie – 01436 678725 findlay.mcquarrie@googlemail.com
William Wood – 0131 229 75445 wwood@rias.org.uk
World Architecture : e-architect
- a guide to key buildings across the globe
RIAS Invited
Competition : Dunfermline Museum and Library
Scottish Architects
RIAS Award for
Architecture
RIAS President
RIAS Saltcoats Competition
Architecture
and Design Scotland
Architecture
Competitions
RIAS Competition
: Scotland
Comments / photos for the Helensburgh Pier Competition page welcome:
info@e-architect.co.uk
Helensburgh Pier Competition
: page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt