Hastings Pier - the vibrant community-led restored pier on the East Sussex coast - scoops the biggest award in British architecture: the RIBA Stirling Prize.
"Hastings Pier is a masterpiece in regeneration and inspiration. The architects and local community have transformed a neglected wreck into a stunning, flexible new pier to delight and inspire visitors and local people alike." says RIBA President Ben Derbyshire, who chaired the RIBA Stirling Prize jury.
Hastings Pier can chart its history from 1872. For many years it was a popular pleasure pier famous for musical acts, but its recent past has been much more precarious. Neglected for years, it closed in 2008 following storm damage, and in 2010 faced destruction when a fire ravaged the entire structure.
Residents and friends were determined to use the fire as an opportunity to reimagine the pier. Buoyed by the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund, a RIBA Competition was held attracting entries from around the world. London-based architects dRMM won the competition and immediately set about meeting with locals and stakeholders to help shape the future of the pier; a future radically different from that of its Victorian inception.
"There was no sense in trying to reconstruct it as a 19th century pier – that typology had gone with the fire. There was an opportunity to reuse and reinvent the pier and give it a new future." says Alex de Rijke, dRMM Founding Director.
For many, the fact the pier is still standing is special enough; but what makes this pier unique is the decision not to populate the space with permanent attractions.
"You expect a pier to be covered in stuff, instead you have a free space and no buildings" Says Alex. "The new pier is designed as an enormous, free, public platform over the sea - inspiring temporary installations and events across a variety of scales. This space offered more potential than an ‘iconic’ building on the end of the pier, and demonstrates the evolving role of the architect as an agent for change."
The Chair of Hastings Pier Charity, Maria Ludkin describes the pier as a "symbol of regeneration". Maria has seen the positive impact the pier has had on the local community and day-trippers, alike: "Hastings Pier has invited curious visitors, stimulated conversations, and engaged and welcomed all who use and support us. Accessible and sustainable, it frames a spectacular seascape and offers unlimited variations for relaxation, contemplation and play."
Upon hearing the news that Hastings Pier won the RIBA Stirling Prize, Alex was keen to highlight that this was not just an achievement for dRMM but for the wider community of people involved, also: "All of the many people who worked on this long project are grateful and delighted with the Prize - and proud of achieving the apparently impossible".
This is a project which was ignited by the community, shaped by the community and now enjoyed by the community. Therefore, it seems wholly appropriate that the community came together again to watch the announcement of this year's Stirling Prize live on the pier – win or lose, they would celebrate all that they have achieved, whatever the outcome.
