Recent Project

Portside Park

In 2008 I was commissioned by Whitstable Improvement Trust to design a public space inside Whitstable Harbour. My design engaged with environmental issues and found forms and methods of engaging the local community and visitors in connecting with the local and the global.

The design went to public consultation and received a mixed response, with various factions within the town looking to realise their own interests. The scheme was eventually abandoned due to lack of funds.

Main Elements of the Design

Wind Powered Light Works
• Wind turbine ‘Light Beacon’ signalling to those on land and at sea - heralding entry to the harbour and exit to the Kentish Flats and the wider world. The outer wind collector is based on the Savonius Rotor principle. At the heart of the turbine would be a static translucent ovoid pod emitting pulsing, transforming light and colour - organic forms and motion – Think of The Northern Lights – cuttlefish – squid.

• Wind powered ‘Light Veil’ to draw visitors from land and water. Working on the same basis as the ‘light beacon’ but wrapping around, and defining the periphery of the park. Imagine a subtly pulsing, rippling screen of light and colour – imagine the Northern Lights – cuttlefish – squid. This work would only operate when the wind turns the turbine(s). It would become an inspirational feature of the park, drawing people to the park during darkness. This would increase public usage of the harbour as an evening attraction for eating, events etc. The light veil could be switched off when required. This would then allow it to become a screen on which to project images during events and performances. It may be possible that films or images could be shown through it, like a giant video screen.

• ‘Word Wall’ wind powered feature at junction of south and east quays. A broad arcing surface containing words which light up at random. Words suggestive of Whitstable past, present and future ‘appear’, sometimes in isolation, sometimes in random combinations – like our synapses - offering connections and possibilities through poetry, words, memories, reminiscences.

• Possible inclusion of glass railway tracks set into the groundscape which could become illuminated from beneath when the turbines work - ghosts of the past.

Seating
• Linked curved seating extending around the periphery of the space with timber backing/retaining wall, preferably made from English oak sourced locally, or reclaimed sea defences. Centre uprights to backs of seat could be relief carved on themes relating to Whitstable’s past.

Timber Wall
• Vertical timber gates and screen connecting to the ‘Light Veil’, containing the space, acting as a screen against Bretts, and a wind break against the north and east winds. The gates could be a temporary element, depending on future usage of the East Quay.

Hard Surfaces
• The volume between the wooden retaining wall and the rear wall to be filled with a ‘sea surface’ (or sea bed) – an undulating hard surface which would be composed of different bonded aggregates. This surface would also incorporate ‘objects’ created in arts workshops with the community.

• Paving comprising a mixture of bonded aggregates, hand made and factory made sets, and possibly glass. The hand made element would come from an extensive community based art project relating to the themes of the park.

• Open arena type layout of seating and paving area, along with the Light Veil creates on open/contained space that can become a focal point for a wide variety of community events, performances etc.

• There may need to be a curb which contains the groundscape. This will follow the line of the bollards, and incorporate a broad ramped area for disabled and vehicular access.

Other Elements
General Lighting
• Close to ground level up-lighting incorporated into retaining wall and Sea Surface to ‘raise’ the site visually at night.

Rubbish Bins
• Set between the seating, perhaps alternating with the lighting.

Traffic Control
• Bespoke bollards strategically placed to keep traffic out of park. (emergency vehicles?)