WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Juice Architects' Paul Newman talks about designing the Swansea tidal lagoon visitor centre
Following the announcement this week that negotiations have begun for the funding of the £1bn (€1.3bn $1.42bn) Swansea tidal lagoon project in Wales, UK, CLAD speaks exclusively to Paul Newman, principal of Juice Architects, the firm behind the project's iconic visitor attraction.
"The Tidal Lagoon is an extraordinarily important development and I am delighted the Visitor Centre has become the iconic symbol of this pioneering project” said Newman.
“I am confident that the government will grant permission and very much look forward to the day the Visitor Centre is open to the public for their enjoyment and education."
The offshore visitor centre will be constructed 3.5km (2.1miles) from shore, meaning it must be able to withstand extreme elements, with the need to respond to the environment and remain usable in the harshest of conditions.
The design is based on oysters, with the structure offering the appearance of a series of shells, creating an internal area from a range of overlapping forms that envelope interconnecting spaces.
Newman says the design it is very representative of the project's goals: “Behind the imagery however, is a beautifully crafted exhibition and leisure space to explain the story of the lagoon, its construction, how the energy is captured and the benefits of this renewable energy source,” he said.
“The exhibitions will be interactive, fun and educational, as well as explaining the culture of the local area. It will focus strongly on the natural environment and how we should respect and live in harmony with our world.”
When asked about the UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne's announcement of negotiations for the project, Newman said it's a ‘“tremendous boost that shows the Governments’ support”
Despite the UK's looming general election, a Development Control Order is due around 10 June 2015. The project will move forward if the order is granted.
“The visitor centre is an integral part of the project and I hope it will be a place of wonder and reflection for all," added Newman. "We're looking forward to starting the next stage of the design.”
Visitor Centre specifications:
• Where: 3.5km offshore in the Severn Estuary, Swansea Bay, UK
• What: The visitor centre would include exhibition space, a lecture theatre, a café and educational facilities.
• Materials: Concrete proposed for structural frame and main building element of shells; Plaster to be used internally; High levels of insulation throughout; Timber structural soffit for upper gallery roof; External glazing, glass with solar performance and heat retaining qualities
• Landscape: Structure to sit on a man made ‘island platform’, designed with characteristic rock pools, an element that will visually link an internal ‘touch pool’ with the outside
• Project team: Juice Architects; Evolve; LDA; Atkins Global; Costain
BACKGROUND BRIEFING
The Swansea Tidal Lagoon project is being masterplanned by LDA Design, who worked on the London 2012 Olympic Park. It would feature the world’s first man-made lagoon, generating enough power to run 120,000 homes for 120 years.
As part of the masterplan, the lagoon would feature an international watersport centre and oyster hatchery, designed by FaulknerBrowns.
Inspired by ‘traditional fishing warehouse and boat houses’ the 4000sq m (43,056sq ft) building for the watersport and hatchery would include sports facilities, changing rooms and boat storage.
Negotiations opening for LDA Design's £1bn tidal lagoon project
Plans unveiled for Swansea Bay watersport centre and oyster hatchery
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
