Internationally acclaimed architects to create world class vision for Bournemouth’s Pavilion Gardens

Posted: 26/05/2016 at 9:22am

The creation of a landmark ‘cultural quarter’ overlooking Bournemouth’s world-famous seafront is under way following the appointment of leading international designers Zaha Hadid Architects.

Acknowledged as one of the most important sites within the Council’s Town Centre Vision portfolio, Bath Road North is currently a car park and sits prominently alongside the Pavilion, with dramatic views towards the seafront and Purbeck Hills.

Zaha Hadid Architects, which has twice won the prestigious Stirling Prize, topped a strong field of five shortlisted companies to join the Council in developing a world class Pavilion Gardens project at this Bath Road North site.

Initial proposals for the site include designing a mix of cultural attractions and public space improvements complementing Bath Road and the Pavilion Theatre. This could include a multi-use performance space, hotel and restaurants.

Significant public realm investment is envisaged, linking the cultural quarter to the beaches, town centre and forthcoming Winter Gardens scheme via a new Grand Garden Walk.   Community and stakeholder engagement, as well as public consultation, will be a major part of the project.

Councillor John Beesley, Leader of the Council, said: “The Council’s approach to the development at the Bath Road North site will be thorough and considered. We are in the early stages of planning and any development will need to be of high architectural quality, respecting the views, enhancing the neighbouring Pavilion and creating a strong and positive visual identity for this part of Bournemouth.”

The appointment of Zaha Hadid Architects follows a competitive process designed to identify an architect who can demonstrate the importance of placemaking while respecting the wider area of interest outside a development site.

Jim Heverin, Director at Zaha Hadid Architects, said: “We greatly look forward to working with the community and all stakeholders to develop a shared vision for this very important site. On her recent visit to Bournemouth in March this year, Zaha explored the wonderful possibilities for Pavilion Gardens as a popular cultural quarter for residents and visitors alike, linking the town centre with its renowned seafront and beaches.”

Planning for the Bath Road North site is in the early stages and the Council is working through the Bournemouth Development Company to establish the development potential of the area of land to the side of the Pavilion Theatre. Any development will create the opportunity to redefine this key town centre destination.

Following the appointment of Zaha Hadid Architects, Bournemouth Council will work with key stakeholders from the Arts Council, BH Live, Arts University Bournemouth, and the Bournemouth Development Company to create a vision for the site which will inform the longer term development plans for Bath Road North car park.

Zaha Hadid Architects was founded in 1979 by the Iraqi-British architect Dame Zaha Hadid, who died suddenly in March after a glittering career at the pinnacle of her profession.

Zaha Hadid Architects employs more than 400 people across the world. Among its many popular projects are the London Aquatics Centre, which staged swimming and diving events at the 2012 Olympic Games, MAXXI Museum of 21st Century Art in Rome and Oxford University’s Middle East Centre which recently received awards from the Oxford Preservation Trust and RIBA South.

Altogether, 38 expressions of interest were received from architects’ practices in response to a competition organised by The Bournemouth Development Company.