Inspiring beach hut designs go on view (From Bournemouth Echo)

Inspiring beach hut designs go on view

7:00pm Wednesday 1st July 2009 in

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THE bird’s nest stadium in China, rollercoasters, crabs and seashells were just some of the inspirations behind beach hut designs on display to the public this week.

The exhibition showcasing designs for the accessible beach huts planned for Boscombe attracted a number of curious visitors to the Carrington House Hotel in Knyveton Road, Boscombe, on Tuesday.

The four new beach huts, to be situated to the west of Boscombe Pier, are being funded by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) through the Sea Change project.

Andrew Emery, Boscombe Sea Change project manager, said: “We want to create new beach huts specifically designed for disabled users. The existing ones are 100 years old. This is unique – we are not aware of any other such scheme in the country that is specifically for disabled beach huts.”

This is unique – we are not aware of any other such scheme in the country that is specifically for disabled beach huts

Andrew Emery

In addition a wooden track for wheelchair users is also set to be placed on the beach during the main tourist season.

The £455,000 project is also funding other improvements including creative mood lighting to make Boscombe Precinct more welcoming.

Bournemouth Borough Council launched a competition back in April inviting professional designers, architects and artists to submit beach hut designs.

Entries were received from all over the world, including Japan, Peru, USA, Mexico, Canada, India and most of Europe.

Around 172 models went on display at the hotel on Tuesday and members of the public were invited to rate their 10 favourite designs.

After that the number will be whittled down to five by a judging panel and a winner chosen.

The new beach huts, which will be short-term let, are expected to be ready for the end of March next year.

Many of the designs on display also showed environmentally friendly aspects including green roofs, wind turbines, solar panels and use of natural materials found on the coast.