An Icon For Everyone Archives - DLWP, The De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill, East Sussex

Innovative Lightweight Solar Panels Installed at East Sussex’s Grade I Listed De La Warr Pavilion to Generate 20% of Annual Electricity Needs

Commercial Solar Specialist, Absolar has installed 144 lightweight solar panels (specifically chosen for the site considering its structural features) across the Auditorium roof of Bexhill-on-Sea’s Grade I listed De La Warr Pavilion on England’s south coast as part of its major transformation project, An Icon For Everyone in partnership with Rother District Council. Creating a system capacity of 77.7kWp meeting approximately 20% of the De La Warr Pavilion’s annual electricity demand.

This is the first installation of this specific lightweight panel in the UK. At just 7.2kg/m2, these panels are among the lightest high-performance modules available commercially. This means the De La Warr Pavilion’s original steel roof structure, designed by structural engineer Felix Samuely, can carry the full array while preserving load-bearing capacity for future auditorium equipment and upgrades. Critically, the lightweight specification does not come at the cost of performance. The panels carry industry-leading efficiency ratings, generation output, and manufacturer warranties.

The solar panels are paired with the latest solar GoodWe inverters, selected for seamless integration with the De La Warr Pavilion’s existing electrical infrastructure and to provide compatibility for future battery storage, which would increase the building’s energy self-reliance further.

The impact this will have:

71,570 kWh generated per year, meeting approximately 20% of the De La Warr Pavilion’s annual electricity demand
18 tonnes of CO2 saved annually, equivalent to the stage lighting for around 715 productions (based on a 50kW/hour west end lighting rig)

Stewart Drew, CEO and Director, De La Warr Pavilion says:

“As we celebrate the 90th year of the De La Warr Pavilion, I couldn’t be prouder to see these solar panels being installed. It’s a milestone moment, and one that reflects our ongoing dedication to environmental sustainability, strengthening the long-term resilience of the building and reducing its operational impact on the environment. These super-lightweight panels are the first of their kind to be installed in the UK and have been carefully chosen to be sympathetic to the existing roof, preserving the integrity of this Grade I listed modernist landmark.”

Cllr Kathryn Field, portfolio holder for environment at Rother District Council says:

“We are delighted that the solar panels are being installed at the De La Warr Pavilion.

“This funding has enabled a major investment in environmental sustainability which will greatly reduce the Pavilion’s carbon footprint.

“We’re currently promoting information on our website that provides advice on how we can all help in the face of a climate emergency. This solar panel installation is a great example of the commitment of all the partners to support protection of our local environment.”

Dr Phil Wu, CEO of Absolar comments:

“It’s been a real honour to be part of this project as the De La Warr Pavilion is such a community asset, steeped in history and loved by the people of Bexhill. We were determined to find a solution that protects and preserves it for the next 90 years and beyond.

“As a listed building used daily by artists and the wider community, we approached this as much as an art project as an engineering one. Absolar chose modern solar panels, which are lightweight yet don’t compromise on performance. This means we fully respect the building’s original structure while securing its energy future.

“We’re proud to be part of its journey helping make it both structurally sound and environmentally ready for the next century.”

The solar panels funded by Rother District Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Climate Emergency Bonus Fund and is part of De La Warr Pavilion’s transformation project, An Icon For Everyone that will redevelop this pioneering centre for the arts, creating new learning and community spaces, refurbish the auditorium and galleries, improve accessibility, support environmental sustainability and secure the Pavilion’s purpose as a creative and cultural home for all.

Inside an Icon for Everyone: Episode One

The De La Warr Pavilion is in the early stages of its transformation project, An Icon for Everyone. With our new YourTube series, Inside an Icon for Everyone, we’re taking you behind the scenes, sharing what we’re doing to preserve and transform our grade 1 listed Modernist building.

In this episode, our Director and Chief Executive, Steward Drew, shares an update on current developments and what’s ahead, including the reason for the scaffolding and the work being carried out on the roof.

Click here to learn more about our transformation project.

Now in Production: Our New Auditorium Seats

We are taking another major step forward in the An Icon for Everyone transformation project with the introduction of brand-new seating, coming later this year to the De La Warr Pavilion auditorium. This project, in partnership with Rother District Council, will refurbish and redevelop this pioneering centre for the arts by transforming/modernising the original 1935 auditorium, creating new community and learning spaces, improving accessibility and ensuring business and environmental sustainability.

These new seats, specified by architects Haworth Tompkins and innovative theatre experience consultants, Charcoal Blue, have been designed and produced by seating specialists Audience Systems, drawing on the original auditorium colour palette by Serge Chermayeff and made with walnut veneer backs to echo the original panelling in the Auditorium.

Here is a behind the scenes look at Bute Fabrics where our bespoke fabric is being woven on the Isle of Bute, Scotland. Established in 1947, Bute Fabrics specialise in weaving textured fabrics, combining time-honoured weaving techniques to create textiles that are grounded, versatile, and made to last.

Leah Harrison Bailey, the Capital Project Director said: “It’s truly wonderful to see, after months of work, that the new auditorium chairs are now in production. We are absolutely delighted to be collaborating with such prestigious partners and skilled craftspeople. It is fantastic to see Bute Fabrics bringing the seat fabric to life, and especially meaningful to maintain our connection with our sister pavilion in Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute, so close to Bute Fabrics.”

The project also links to repairs to the auditorium’s stage lift, which is used to store and move seating beneath the stage during standing events and performances.

You can be part of this all. Join our Your Seat in History campaign and support the vital works to our auditorium and foyers while becoming part of its future. By donating to Your Seat in History, you can celebrate a memory, honour a loved one, or simply have your own name engraved on a plaque on the back of one of our new seats.

You can also come and test the new seats currently in our main foyer!

An Icon For Everyone is made possible through De La Warr Pavilion’s partnership with Rother District Council, and the generous support of the UK Government, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Wolfson Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Chalk Cliff Trust, Foyle Foundation, and Suzy Eddie Izzard.

De La Warr Pavilion Announces Collaboration with Photographer Julian Anderson for Major Transformation Project

The De La Warr Pavilion is delighted to announce a collaboration with the photographer Julian Anderson for its major transformation project, An Icon For Everyone in partnership with Rother District Council.

Close-up of a modern spiral staircase with sleek white curves and light brown accents. The minimalistic design conveys elegance and simplicity. — Photography: Julian Anderson

Curved staircase with metal railings in a building, bathed in sunlight from floor-to-ceiling windows. The tone is modern and airy. — Photography: Julian Anderson

Julian will be creatively documenting the evolution of the Pavilion’s transformational building works, capturing the architecture and its interventions as the project continues redeveloping this pioneering centre for the arts. There will be a refurbished auditorium, new learning and community spaces and galleries plus improved accessibility and environmental sustainability — securing the Pavilion’s purpose as a creative and cultural home for all.

Julian says:

“I am excited to work with the Pavilion on this project and look forward to seeking out moments of inspiration from the stunning architecture, while documenting some of the hidden gems of this beautiful building during its transition.”

Stewart Drew, Director and CEO of the De La Warr Pavilion says:

“We are thrilled to be working with Julian, whose work captures the sleek lines and shapes of the Pavilion as well as the faded beauty of its 90 years. We are fortunate that Julian lives locally and delighted to welcome him as part of the project.”

Julian Anderson is an internationally known photographer whose work including architecture, portraits and the natural world. His architectural work includes London’s Elizabeth Line, The Connaught Hotel, The Millenium Bridge and The London Olympic Stadium while his editorial work includes The Guardian Saturday magazine, Time, Conde Nast Traveller, The Royal Academy, Sight and Sound magazine and The Art Fund. Commercial commissions include ESK Cashmere, the Maybourne Hotel Group, The Old Vic Theatre, Romeo Hotel Naples, Reignwood and Max Fordham.

Julian’s has 27 portraits in the National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection, including Sir David Attenborough (currently on display), Sir Peter Blake, Motorhead’s Lemmy and Lord Norman Foster.

Main Contractor Tender Launched for De La Warr Pavilion Transformation

Rother District Council (RDC) are advertising for a suitable qualified and experienced Main Contractor to deliver our auditorium and foyer works at the as part of the transformation project, An Icon For Everyone.

The contract will to undertake a comprehensive set of refurbishment activities to renovate the original auditorium, redesign the foyer spaces and improve visitor experience and accessibility. The work is scheduled to start in January 2027 and complete in summer 2028. The Pavilion is going to remain live and operational throughout this period in a limited capacity.

The appointed/shortlisted contractors need to meet stringent requirements and be best suited to carry out this complex conservation project. RDC have contacted suitable scale local businesses to ensure local engagement and the procurement process is open to those that meet required criteria through the council’s procurement website. RDC are ensuring that all tenderers can provide compelling evidence of their contribution to the local area through direct employment, sub-contractor relationships and supply chain. This means that money spent on contractors through the project will be re-invested in Bexhill, Rother & East Sussex through jobs and trade.

For more information about this contract tender please visit: find-tender.service.gov.uk and for more information about An Icon For Everyone please visit: dlwp.com.