Margate Walpole Bay

If there’s one thing we’ve learned makes better buildings, it’s empathy. Architecture never happens in isolation—and simply by being interested and engaged, we’ve found it’s possible to open up the conversations that connect a scheme to its clients and community.

We believe that the more constraints there are, the better the architecture. If there aren’t any constraints, we create them. Challenging sites, existing buildings and complex briefs almost always present incredible opportunities for great design.

To limit our environmental impact, we start with what is already there. By manipulating the form and fabric of a building—whether new or existing—we can work with the existing conditions of topography, light and orientation, and harness the natural energy sources offered by air, ground and water.

If a site’s constraints guide the bigger design decisions, then it’s empathy that informs the smaller, social details. These details frame the human narratives that aren’t included in the brief, anticipating specific moments in the users’ lives.

Good architecture is as much about what happens on the building site as it is about what’s on the drawing board. By working alongside contractors as well as clients we can ring-fence the ideas and details that matter, championing quality and sustainability throughout construction.

Walpole Bay - Testing New Uses

Work Studio Activity News Contact

Work

Walpole Bay - Testing New Uses
Grade II Listed
Walpole Bay Tidal Pool
Margate, Kent

Client

Thanet District Council

Curl la Tourelle Head Architecture (CLTH) have been appointed by Thanet District Council (TDC) to develop the ‘Testing New Uses’ project which forms part of the Coastal Wellbeing intervention of the Margate Town Deal Investment Plan.

For two hundred years from 1750, Margate was a popular English coastal holiday resort. An increase in the awareness of the health benefits of bathing and sea air, alongside revolutions in mass transport encouraged generations to visit Margate sands for seaside holidays.

Over the years, Walpole Bay has been designated as an important ecological and heritage site. It is a RAMSAR wetland site, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) and is a Special Protection Area (SPA). It includes the Grade II Listed Walpole Bay Tidal Pool and the Grade II Listed Cliff Lift, which are also safeguarded by the Clifftop Conservation Area.

The Aim of the project is to support TDC in providing year-round operation of coastal facilities with a focus on wellbeing. We have been studying promenade buildings and structures to serve the existing and new users of Walpole Bay, which will aim to promote health and equity for local people and visitors. These beachside structures will host new business and community activities to strengthen Margate's identity and wellbeing heritage.

CLTH has been shaping the brief through a two week public engagement activity held at Walpole Bay Hotel, Cliftonville, Margate. We look forward to sharing more of this exciting project in Margate - we wish you were here!