Conservation Area (CA)
No
Local Listing Reference
LLHA0258
Description
Two small dock-side buildings containing namely showers and lavatories, of sculptural and structural interest. The buildings are constructed from glass-reinforced polyester (GRP), which is prevalent in boat building and is a material that protects against deterioration from the sea and therefore a logical choice for marina buildings. They were constructed during a period of enthusiasm for the possibilities of GRP as an architectural material (1960s and 1970s). Nearly all buildings, in practice, however, utilised GRP as non-structural cladding, but the buildings in Brighton Marina have utilised the structural quality of GRP to enclose the whole building and are examples of the very few remaining buildings to have achieved this.
The structure of the buildings is clearly expressed as deeply ribbed GRP sections that form self-supporting integrated wall and roof sections. These are bolted together, panel to panel with cover strips between each segment. The deep corrugations extend the full length of the panels across the building before neatly terminating at the bases on each side. The GRP panels sit over an elegantly recessed concrete upstand. Doors and louvred vents are carefully set into specially designed panels.
The buildings were designed by Eva Jiricna, while working for the Louis de Soissons Partnership, who was to become one of the most prominent female architects in Britain in the late 20th Century. Features included such as the nautical doors and portholes subsequently became features of Jiricna’s later and better-known work.
Internal refurbishment of the facilities was undertaken in 2018 which did not affect the external appearance of the buildings.
A. Architectural, design and artistic interest
ii, iii The buildings are well-preserved examples of 1970s marina architecture and are examples of the few remaining buildings from the mid-20th Century where the structural quality of GRP has been conceived to enclose the whole building and, therefore, represents a good quality and rare example of a particular type of building, style or period of design and demonstrates innovation in its design and construction.
iv The buildings were designed by Eva Jiricna, while working for the Louis de Soissons Partnership, who was to become one of the most prominent female architects in Britain in the late 20th Century. Her work at Brighton Marina influenced her later work and is quoted as saying “All the materials I have ever used in the shops, staircases and apartments I have designed since, I learned about at Brighton Marina”. Features such as the nautical doors and portholes and suspended stairs, subsequently became features of Jiricna’s later and better-known work such in retail projects and the 1980s Lloyds Building in London.
C. Townscape interest
ii. The structures are located within the basin of the marina, outside of a Conservation Area, with the strong yellow colouring and design making a positive contribution to the street scene.
iii. The colour and design is appropriate to its setting as the elegant and intensely detailed structures, located in and in contrast with the larger-scale engineering context of the marina including the concrete breakwater and jetties and forms a visual focal point from the Marina Waterfront.
E. Rarity and representativeness
ii. The buildings represent rare examples of the use of GRP from this period. Constructed from a material that is rarely used now but is emblematic of the 1970s.
F. Intactness
i. The GRP has been largely unmaintained over decades but remains is in quite good condition and retains most of its original design features.
ii. Retain their original use and function
Date of inclusion
2023
