Dover Esplanade
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Robbie Polley Download Original
Remodeling of the harbour side beach and public realm on Dover’s waterfront
The project, which creates a new esplanade that connects the Eastern and Western docks, consists of three element that run along the beach parallel to the sea: the lifting wave, resting wave and lighting wave.
The lifting wave is a sculptural ramp and stair formation that rises and falls to connect the beach to the esplanade. The structure is formed with a repeated pattern of textured white pre-cast concrete units.
The resting wave is a sculptural retaining wall that provides sheltered spaces along the length of the Esplanade. The wall is formed by a shifting system of white precast concrete blocks that create recessed bays for benches made of weathered oak. Undulating raised lawns follow the curving line of the wall with occasional trees bringing seasonal colour and variety to the seafront.
The lighting wave is a sculptural line of white columns that bring improved lighting and safety to the Esplanade. Along the length of the esplanade the columns rise and fall like the froth on the crest of a wave. The interactive low-energy LED lights can be controlled to go on and off to create dynamic wave movement that will bring a sense of delight to the seafront.
Data
- Begun: Mar 2010
- Completed: Aug 2010
- Sector: Civic
- Total cost: £2M
- Tender date: Sep 2009
- Address: Sea Front, Marine Parade, Dover, Kent, CT16 1LA, United Kingdom
Professional Team 
- Architect: Tonkin Liu
- Client: Sea Change/Department for Culture, Media, and Sport, Kent County Council, Dover Harbour Board, Dover District Council
- Structural engineer: Rodrigues Associates
- Quantity surveyor: Jacobs
- Project manager: Jacobs
- Civil engineer: Jacobs
- Services engineer: Jacobs
- Lighting design: Tonkin Liu
- Landscape architect: Jacobs
Suppliers
- Oak benches: Maxwell Pinborough
- Light fixtures: Iguzzini
- Lighting sculpture: Mike Smith Studio
- Stainless steel bins: Woodhouse UK
- Light masts: Urbis
- Precast concrete: Thorp Precast