Two architectural practices have been appointed for the Bexhill and Sidley Levelling Up Capital Projects. They are:

· HAWORTH TOMPKINS for the De La Warr Pavilion

· BAKER ARCHITECTURAL for the new Sidley Community Hub

 

Haworth Tompkins   is a Stirling Prize-winning architectural studio with an international reputation for intelligent, purposeful design.

Previous capital projects include:

· The National Theatre (2015) – Dennis Lasdun’s modernist masterpiece.

· Lightroom, London (2023) – an immersive exhibition venue in King’s Cross

· @sohoplace (2022) – the first new-build West End Theatre for 50 years.

· Theatre Royal Drury Lane (2021) – major restoration of the grade I listed theatre

· Battersea Arts Centre (2018) – the rebirth of a town hall for community and theatre use

· V&A Collection and Research Centre (2018) — open-access facility to house the V&A’s collection of two million artefacts.

· The Chichester Festival Theatre (2014) – the renewal and expansion of Powell and Moya’s landmark Modernist producing theatre.

Haworth Tompkins’ projects have won over 180 major design awards, including the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2014, and were named AJ100 Practice of the Year in both 2020 and 2022. The practice has over 30 years’ experience of collaborating with socially driven organisations who share their belief in creating spaces for people and communities.

The core Design Team for the project have also been appointed. They are:

· MEP & Sustainability: Buro Happold

· Civil & Structural Engineering: Price and Myers

· Transport : Caneparo

· Planning: Lichfields

· Fire Engineer The Fire Surgery

· Acoustics CharcoalBlue

· Landscape JCLA Landscape Architects

· Accessibility HADA

· Theatre CharcoalBlue

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

“We couldn’t be more excited to have such a considered, thoughtful and innovative conservation-based architectural practice as Haworth Tompkins committed to securing and transforming our Grade One Listed building into a place for creativity, community and skills.

Haworth Tompkins, along with a team of leading experts in their field, will ensure that the Pavilion can continue to deliver culture-led regeneration for the region, positively impacting on some of the highest areas of deprivation in the southeast. In our improved spaces, we will continue to offer culture, entertainment, learning, and social interaction all in one place whilst remaining a viable, sustainable and relevant part of our community for many years to come.”

Lucy Picardo, Director, Haworth Tompkins says:

“We are thrilled to have been awarded the opportunity to work alongside Rother District Council and DLWP to develop proposals for the refurbishment of the iconic, modernist, Grade I Listed De La Warr Pavilion.
Alongside our experienced and creative team, and with valuable input from the local community, we are looking forward to creating a renewed Pavilion for the arts for staff, performers, exhibitors, and visitors alike.
Building upon our extensive experience in delivering cultural heritage projects including ‘NT Future’ for the National Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre and the remodelling of the modernist Chichester Festival Theatre, we are well placed to work with all the partners and stakeholders to deliver an ambitious vision for the Pavilion”.

 

Baker Architectural  is a multidisciplinary architectural practice of award-winning Chartered Architects and Chartered Technologists, proudly rooted in Rother and Hastings. This local connection provides the community with the distinct advantage of being guided by a company deeply invested in delivering excellent opportunities. Baker Architectural comprehensively grasp the challenges inherent in community projects and are committed to crafting buildings that cater to everyone’s needs, including the youth, elderly, and disabled. Moreover, they ensure forward-thinking designs that seamlessly integrate sustainable concepts into every aspect of the new community hub.

The core Design Team for the project has also been appointed. They are

· Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing: IWA

· Project Manager/ Principal Designer: Potter Raper

· Civil Engineer: Borne Project Services

· Structural Engineer: Waller Gray

· Planning: GRF Planning

· Landscape: ACTA

The Heart of Sidley Community Partnership says:

“The tireless efforts of our community association stand as a beacon of pride, dedicated to providing a nurturing home and vibrant hub for our neighbourhood. With unwavering commitment, we are excited to provide essential facilities that enrich the social fabric and enhance the well-being for all in Sidley. From recreational spaces to educational resources, a new café and sporting facilities, this project will foster a sense of belonging and unity. The hub will provide every member of the community with the opportunity to thrive with access to a hub which also serves as a catalyst for economic development, fostering prosperity and vibrancy within our neighbourhood.”

 

The projects are being made possible thanks to £19 million awarded to Rother District Council from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for community, creativity and skills in Bexhill.

Cllr Doug Oliver, Rother District Council leader, said: “These projects will make a huge difference to the district, and I am delighted that they are moving forward with the appointment of design teams. Whilst there is still some way to go for both projects, I look forward to seeing them progress and help transform our communities.

“We are confident that the investment by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and other funders will improve the lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.”

 

For further information on the DLWP Capital Project please contact Sally Ann Lycett at the De La Warr Pavilion on sally.ann.lycett@dlwp.com or Dawn Hepburn at Haworth Tompkins on dawn.hepburn@haworthtompkins.com

For further information on the Sidley Community Hub, please contact Tanya Vice at Heart of Sidley on Tanya Vice heartofsidley@gmail.com

 

Notes:

1. In January 2023, Rother District Council announced that it had been awarded £19m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, £17m of which was allocated to go towards the redevelopment of the De La Warr Pavilion and £2m towards a Community Hub for Sidley. Both projects will create new jobs, upskill local residents and bolster career progression in the area’s creative and cultural sectors, particularly for young people.

This investment will enable the delivery of cultural-led regeneration to improve the lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Rother.

The money will go towards the transformation of the De La Warr Pavilion on Bexhill seafront and the development of new community facilities in Sidley.

 

2. The De La Warr Pavilion Design Team

· Haworth Tompkins https://www.haworthtompkins.com
· Buro Happold https://www.burohappold.com/
· Price and Myers https://www.pricemyers.com/
· Caneparo https://caneparoassociates.com/
· Lichfields https://lichfields.uk/
· The Fire Surgery https://thefiresurgery.com/
· Charcoalblue https://www.charcoalblue.com
· JCL https://www.jcla.co.uk/
· HADA http://www.piginkpress.com/about.html

 

3. The Sidley Community Hub Design Team

· Baker Architectural www.bakerarchitectural.co.uk
· Potter Raper www.potterraper.co.uk
· MGAC www.mgac.com
· Borne Project Services www.borneprojectservices.co.uk
· Waller Gray www.wallergray.co.uk
· ACTA www.actaland.com
· IWA M&E Consulting Engineers www.iwa.uk.com

 

See previous press release for further details of the projects here.

Further details can be found here.

 

Image credits:

De La Warr Pavilion, Ariel shot: Clear Air Flying

DLWP Design Team and Sidley Hub Design Team: Burst Photographs

Posted by Daisy Jerome on Tuesday 9 April 2024