Knights Brown was appointed to construct the beach huts, which were built from pre-cast reinforced concrete units that formed four individual terraces extending to 250m in length. Concrete was chosen as the main material for the works due to the exposed location while also allowing significant enhancements to the project’s functionality.

Pedestrian access and viewing opportunities across the Solent were improved as part of the scheme, including:

• Pedestrian walkway along the roofs of the beach hut terraces
• Widening of the promenade to better accommodate beach hut owners and pedestrians
• Disabled access ramps at either end of the site
• Widening of the gaps between terraces to improve views from behind the beach huts

We incorporated innovative materials into the scheme such as printed Graphic Concrete® on the front panels of the beach huts to depict images of locally distinctive views. And the end panels to each beach hut terrace feature a flotsam and jetsam artwork arranged to form an ammonite spiral and then cast into the concrete.

This project won the GAGA Galvanizing in Detail Award 2017 for the two cranked galvanized access ramps at either end of the site. These feature perforated galvanized metal that permits views of the sea while the solid sides of the balustrade act as an echo chamber for the sounds of the waves.

The project has since been shortlisted for the Concrete Society Awards and the Institution of Civil Engineers South West Awards.