The Design Team's work

Since their appointment in 2020, the Restoration Design Team has been working hard to outline what will happen in each phase of restoration.   

Heritage architect specialists from Purcell researched and prepared a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the Terrace. It identifies the unique qualities that make the Terrace special and how the Terrace and its restoration can be managed in the short, medium and long term. 

The design team used the existing CMP material to help them recommend which stretch of the Terrace to restore in the first phase. 28 arches were selected between Concorde 2 in the east and the Royal Crescent steps in the west. Restoration will include the green wall behind the structure.  

The final design approach produced by the Team was consulted on in winter 2021 to 22 and was granted planning permission in November 2022.  

The Team completed RIBA stage 4 in February 2023. This is the technical design stage. An invitation to tender for a main contractor was advertised in late 2023. Tenders were returned in spring 2024 and the main contractor appointed in mid-autumn 2024. 

Phase one design  

The restoration work will address several key areas, including: 

  • repairing and protecting the cast iron 
  • redesigning the mid-deck walkway  
  • restoring decorative elements such as the striking spandrels at the front of the arches 
  • installing new seating, lighting, and space for pop-ups on the deck and at ground level, to accommodate events such as food festivals or live music 
  • improving public spaces on Madeira Drive
  • safeguarding and retaining some of the historic Japanese green spindle plants to see how they manage during restoration works and re-establishing the Green Wall at the back of the terrace once works to the cliff wall are completed.

What the Restoration Design Team do

Purcell 

Purcell are the architects leading and co-ordinating the Design Team to produce initial designs and support the project through the first phase of restoration. that are possible to carry out.   

The team from Purcell haves extensive experience with heritage architecture and cast-iron structures.  

They have a good understanding of the challenges that come with using long term and ecologically sound approaches to a heritage restoration project.   

HOP 

HOP are civil, marine, and structural engineers. 

Alongside the appointed main contractor, they will verify the structural integrity of Madeira Terrace to help the team understand how much of the existing structure can be repaired, re-used and restored.   

The terrace needs to be able to cope with today’s crowd-loading standards.  

This will allow Madeira Terrace to once again be used as a linear grandstand, where people can gather on the mid-level deck to watch events on Madeira Drive and the beachfront.   

Stantec 

Stantec’s mechanical and electrical engineering team are looking at mechanical and electrical elements of the designs. 

This includes things like lighting and better access to the seafront for everyone with a new lift.  

Landscape Projects 

Landscape Projects are the landscape architects focusing on: 

  • the conservation and integrity of the Green Wall 
  • access to and through Madeira Terrace to the beachfront 

Atkins Realis 

Atkins Realis are supporting the restoration with specialist project managers.  

They work with Purcell to co-ordinate the design team’s work and report progress to the council.

They have helped manage and co-ordinate the appointment of the main contractor and will continue as Contract Administrators for the main contractor doing the physical restoration and construction works.   

MGAC

MGAC are cost consultants and quantity surveyors. 

They have assessed the costs of restoration options by drawing market comparisons on for the materials needed for restoration and construction. 

They will also account for all forms of carbon assisting us to work towards net zero targets in construction and restoration. 

Fourth Street 

Fourth Street are specialists in business planning for heritage and cultural assets like Madeira Terrace.  

They have helped with a business model for the first phase of restoration.   

The whole team have also explored how circular economy principles can be applied to the restoration and re-use of the Terrace.  A number of surveys, tests and peer review design exercises have helped assist the team in understanding the extent to which existing cast iron elements can be repaired and still work in a structure intended for public use.  

The designs will respect the structure’s unique heritage and the Green Wall which predates the Terrace.