RIBA - Worthing Pool
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New Swimming Pool
Worthing Borough Council
Introduction
Worthing is the largest town in West Sussex with a population in excess of 100,000. It plays a key role in the network of towns along the south coast and has been an attractive visitor destination since the 19th century. The town is set amongst five miles of idyllic coastline to the south and is a gateway to the South Downs to the north, an area of countryside known for its scenic beauty which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is awaiting confirmation of national park status. Its present day form is reflective of its diverse and interesting historical development. Whilst it used to be cast as a destination for the elderly and a place to retire, the population dynamics are changing with a younger population expanding in the town.
Worthing Borough Council has identified the need for a new swimming facility to be built alongside and to replace the town’s existing swimming complex known locally as the “Aquarena”. Worthing Borough Council feel it is essential that the existing swimming complex is retained and kept open to the public during construction of the new one and they realise this may be a constraint on the design and layout of the new pool.
The site located adjacent to the seafront and close to the town centre is a wonderful development opportunity and the Council is keen to ensure that a first class leisure facility can be provided together with a mixed use development which maximises the potential of the site and positively enhances this prominent seafront location.
Worthing Borough Council Seafront Strategy objectives are to :
• Establish guiding principles for the regeneration of the seafront to become a more vibrant destination ;
• Re-establish the seafront as a high quality visitor destination and local resource, with an improved range of facilities and environment to meet local/visitor expectations and the needs of all age groups;
• Improve the range and quality of the visitor experience by attracting new facilities and attractions that bring a sense of life and vitality to the seafront;
• Encourage activities and investment that broaden the appeal to new market segments and encourage a higher level of spend by visitors;
• Balance the needs for commercial facilities with the protection and enhancement of historic buildings, natural features and public spaces;
• Expand current marketing activities and develop an expanded events programme;
• Improve connectivity and linkages and the quality of the pedestrian environment along the seafront and between the seafront and the town centre;
• Promote sustainable modes of transport including walking and cycling.
In September 2006 the Council published a consultation document ‘Unlocking Development Potential’ which sets out all major sites for development in Worthing. One of the sites in the document was the Aquarena. The Development Principle for the Aquarena area as set out in the document is:
• As an anchor site to the eastern part of the seafront, the development of the Aquarena site will be modern, creative and look to maximise its seafront location. That will need to complement the adjacent street pattern and seafront setting.
The area of site for the development of the new pool is approximately 4,500m2. The main design objective for the swimming pool is: ‘to create a new swimming complex for Worthing which would be a first class leisure facility for the town. It should be also a landmark building demonstrating civic pride and status.’
The basic specification for the new pool includes an 8 lane 25 metre pool, a combined learner/diving pool, indoor pools, with rapids and flumes, and outdoor leisure waters, a health and fitness centre, café, crèche and flexible space for other activities.
Design principles
It will be important to maximise the development potential, whilst respecting the constraints of the site. To the north, adjacent to the Brighton Road, the Farncombe Road Conservation Area and the scale and massing of the adjoining townscape should be respected. To the West, the setting of the Grade II* Beach House will require special consideration.
A development brief is currently being prepared for the whole of the Aquarena site as it is envisaged that the area currently occupied by the existing swimming facility and the area to the south of it will be sold for development. This will be made available once a draft is completed.
The site and outline proposals for the new facility present a rare opportunity to design and create a truly stunning new flagship facility on a prestige seafront site.
Invitation
Selection will take the form of an invited design competition preceded by expressions of interest from architect-led design teams. From the expressions of interest up to six teams will be identified to take part in the design phase. They will prepare design concept proposals in response to a design brief and will present these ideas to a Panel of Assessors.
The competition is being organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Competitions Office on behalf of the Council. The competition will be organised in two stages as follows:
Stage 1 : Expressions of interest
Stage 2 : Up to six teams invited to develop design ideas
Expressions of Interest : Submission Requirements
Expressions of interest should be submitted on a maximum of 20 single sided A4 pages in total. Three copies should be provided.
The 20 pages should include the following information:
an introduction to the team, reasons for applying for this project and what specialist skills the team is able to provide
details of previous related projects, including illustrations
details and brief CVs of key people within the team proposed for this project
The 20 page submission should be accompanied by the completed pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ).
NOTE: three hard copies of the submission and the PQQ must be provided along with an electronic version in pdf format on a CD ROM.
Expressions of interest should be submitted to the RIBA Competitions Office to arrive no later than 1400 hours on Tuesday 17th March 2009.
Criteria for selection of the Short list
Up to six teams will be selected to go through to the second stage of the competition. The shortlist will be prepared on the basis of the following criteria:
- ability to demonstrate creative design and flair
- quality of previous work
- experience in designing and delivering similar projects
- experience in all aspects of sustainable design
- skills and resources of the team to take the project through to completion
- response and compliance with this preliminary briefing paper
- motivation statement
- quality of the team proposed
- established, financially viable practice with equivalent experience.
Eligibility
The competition is open internationally to registered architects. Architects should name the consultants with whom they would work in their application.
Timescale, Budget and Procurement
The Council wish ideally to complete the development by the end of 2012. The total value of the project is estimated to be in the region of £20 to £25 million inclusive of fees and VAT (where applicable). It is anticipated that the project will ultimately be procured under a Design and Build contract with the design team novated.
Competition format and programme
The competition will take the form of an invited design competition with up to six teams selected from those submitting expressions of interest. The timetable for the selection process, which may be subject to variation, is as follows:
- 13th February – Competition Launch
- 1400 hours Tuesday 17th March – Deadline for expression of interest
- w/c 6th April – Completion of initial assessment of candidates by a technical panel of RIBA architectural adviser, Worthing Borough Council Officers and a Borough Councillor to inform the shortlisting process
- w/c 20th April – Jury Panel meet to agree shortlist
- w/c 27th April – Site visits for the shortlisted teams
- Wednesday 6th May – Deadline for competitors to submit questions (in writing) relating to the briefing.
- Wednesday 13th May – Responses to questions raised issued to competitors
- Friday 12th June – Submission of design work for consideration
- w/c 22nd June – Final interviews with the team and Jury Panel
Jury Panel
The Jury Panel, which may be subject to change, will include Borough Councillors and Council Officers plus the RIBA Architectural Adviser for this competition, Bill Taylor of Hopkins Architects.
Honoraria
Each team invited to take part in stage two of the competition will be expected to prepare and submit 2 A1 design boards plus supporting written material. Each team will be paid an honorarium of £6,000 + VAT for the preparation of this design work.
The winner’s honorarium represents an advance on professional fee.
Enquiries
All enquiries should be made to RIBA Competitions Office at the following address and not to Worthing Borough Council:
Worthing Swimming Pool Project
RIBA Competitions Office
6 Melbourne Street
Leeds LS2 7PS
T. +44 (0) 113-234-1335 F. +44 (0) 113-246-0744
E. riba.competitions@inst.riba.org W www.architecture.com/competitions
New Swimming Pool
Worthing Borough Council
Introduction
Worthing is the largest town in West Sussex with a population in excess of 100,000. It plays a key role in the network of towns along the south coast and has been an attractive visitor destination since the 19th century. The town is set amongst five miles of idyllic coastline to the south and is a gateway to the South Downs to the north, an area of countryside known for its scenic beauty which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is awaiting confirmation of national park status. Its present day form is reflective of its diverse and interesting historical development. Whilst it used to be cast as a destination for the elderly and a place to retire, the population dynamics are changing with a younger population expanding in the town.
Worthing Borough Council has identified the need for a new swimming facility to be built alongside and to replace the town’s existing swimming complex known locally as the “Aquarena”. Worthing Borough Council feel it is essential that the existing swimming complex is retained and kept open to the public during construction of the new one and they realise this may be a constraint on the design and layout of the new pool.
The site located adjacent to the seafront and close to the town centre is a wonderful development opportunity and the Council is keen to ensure that a first class leisure facility can be provided together with a mixed use development which maximises the potential of the site and positively enhances this prominent seafront location.
Worthing Borough Council Seafront Strategy objectives are to :
• Establish guiding principles for the regeneration of the seafront to become a more vibrant destination ;
• Re-establish the seafront as a high quality visitor destination and local resource, with an improved range of facilities and environment to meet local/visitor expectations and the needs of all age groups;
• Improve the range and quality of the visitor experience by attracting new facilities and attractions that bring a sense of life and vitality to the seafront;
• Encourage activities and investment that broaden the appeal to new market segments and encourage a higher level of spend by visitors;
• Balance the needs for commercial facilities with the protection and enhancement of historic buildings, natural features and public spaces;
• Expand current marketing activities and develop an expanded events programme;
• Improve connectivity and linkages and the quality of the pedestrian environment along the seafront and between the seafront and the town centre;
• Promote sustainable modes of transport including walking and cycling.
In September 2006 the Council published a consultation document ‘Unlocking Development Potential’ which sets out all major sites for development in Worthing. One of the sites in the document was the Aquarena. The Development Principle for the Aquarena area as set out in the document is:
• As an anchor site to the eastern part of the seafront, the development of the Aquarena site will be modern, creative and look to maximise its seafront location. That will need to complement the adjacent street pattern and seafront setting.
The area of site for the development of the new pool is approximately 4,500m2. The main design objective for the swimming pool is: ‘to create a new swimming complex for Worthing which would be a first class leisure facility for the town. It should be also a landmark building demonstrating civic pride and status.’
The basic specification for the new pool includes an 8 lane 25 metre pool, a combined learner/diving pool, indoor pools, with rapids and flumes, and outdoor leisure waters, a health and fitness centre, café, crèche and flexible space for other activities.
Design principles
It will be important to maximise the development potential, whilst respecting the constraints of the site. To the north, adjacent to the Brighton Road, the Farncombe Road Conservation Area and the scale and massing of the adjoining townscape should be respected. To the West, the setting of the Grade II* Beach House will require special consideration.
A development brief is currently being prepared for the whole of the Aquarena site as it is envisaged that the area currently occupied by the existing swimming facility and the area to the south of it will be sold for development. This will be made available once a draft is completed.
The site and outline proposals for the new facility present a rare opportunity to design and create a truly stunning new flagship facility on a prestige seafront site.
Invitation
Selection will take the form of an invited design competition preceded by expressions of interest from architect-led design teams. From the expressions of interest up to six teams will be identified to take part in the design phase. They will prepare design concept proposals in response to a design brief and will present these ideas to a Panel of Assessors.
The competition is being organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Competitions Office on behalf of the Council. The competition will be organised in two stages as follows:
Stage 1 : Expressions of interest
Stage 2 : Up to six teams invited to develop design ideas
Expressions of Interest : Submission Requirements
Expressions of interest should be submitted on a maximum of 20 single sided A4 pages in total. Three copies should be provided.
The 20 pages should include the following information:
an introduction to the team, reasons for applying for this project and what specialist skills the team is able to provide
details of previous related projects, including illustrations
details and brief CVs of key people within the team proposed for this project
The 20 page submission should be accompanied by the completed pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ).
NOTE: three hard copies of the submission and the PQQ must be provided along with an electronic version in pdf format on a CD ROM.
Expressions of interest should be submitted to the RIBA Competitions Office to arrive no later than 1400 hours on Tuesday 17th March 2009.
Criteria for selection of the Short list
Up to six teams will be selected to go through to the second stage of the competition. The shortlist will be prepared on the basis of the following criteria:
- ability to demonstrate creative design and flair
- quality of previous work
- experience in designing and delivering similar projects
- experience in all aspects of sustainable design
- skills and resources of the team to take the project through to completion
- response and compliance with this preliminary briefing paper
- motivation statement
- quality of the team proposed
- established, financially viable practice with equivalent experience.
Eligibility
The competition is open internationally to registered architects. Architects should name the consultants with whom they would work in their application.
Timescale, Budget and Procurement
The Council wish ideally to complete the development by the end of 2012. The total value of the project is estimated to be in the region of £20 to £25 million inclusive of fees and VAT (where applicable). It is anticipated that the project will ultimately be procured under a Design and Build contract with the design team novated.
Competition format and programme
The competition will take the form of an invited design competition with up to six teams selected from those submitting expressions of interest. The timetable for the selection process, which may be subject to variation, is as follows:
- 13th February – Competition Launch
- 1400 hours Tuesday 17th March – Deadline for expression of interest
- w/c 6th April – Completion of initial assessment of candidates by a technical panel of RIBA architectural adviser, Worthing Borough Council Officers and a Borough Councillor to inform the shortlisting process
- w/c 20th April – Jury Panel meet to agree shortlist
- w/c 27th April – Site visits for the shortlisted teams
- Wednesday 6th May – Deadline for competitors to submit questions (in writing) relating to the briefing.
- Wednesday 13th May – Responses to questions raised issued to competitors
- Friday 12th June – Submission of design work for consideration
- w/c 22nd June – Final interviews with the team and Jury Panel
Jury Panel
The Jury Panel, which may be subject to change, will include Borough Councillors and Council Officers plus the RIBA Architectural Adviser for this competition, Bill Taylor of Hopkins Architects.
Honoraria
Each team invited to take part in stage two of the competition will be expected to prepare and submit 2 A1 design boards plus supporting written material. Each team will be paid an honorarium of £6,000 + VAT for the preparation of this design work.
The winner’s honorarium represents an advance on professional fee.
Enquiries
All enquiries should be made to RIBA Competitions Office at the following address and not to Worthing Borough Council:
Worthing Swimming Pool Project
RIBA Competitions Office
6 Melbourne Street
Leeds LS2 7PS
T. +44 (0) 113-234-1335 F. +44 (0) 113-246-0744
E. riba.competitions@inst.riba.org W www.architecture.com/competitions
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