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Setting Sail at Saltdean
Restoring 'One of the Seven Wonders of the English Seaside'
Tuesday 11th March 2025, 1800 for 1830 start
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AluK Design Studio, 5-11 Worship Street, London, EC2A 2BH
Join us for an intriguing evening finding out about the award-winning restoration of Saltdean Lido, the only Grade II* listed lido in England, which was described by the 20th Century Society as “probably the most architecturally significant open-air pool in the country.”
Designed by Richard William Herbert Jones and opened in 1938, Saltdean Lido’s unique streamlined design, resembling an ocean liner at sea, epitomises the best elements of Britain’s Modernist movement. It captures perfectly the contemporaneous social aspirations of creating seaside architecture for the enjoyment of the masses.
Threatened with redevelopment into flats, the Lido has been saved by local residents and the Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company (SLCIC), who appointed RHP as architects for the building’s restoration in November 2020, in the midst of the Covid Pandemic.
Reimagining it as a year-round destination, the Lido was re-opened to great acclaim in April 2024 and offers activities ranging from co-working to dog swimming. The formerly derelict building now features a cafe, a library, an Art Deco restaurant and ballroom, a gym, a dance studio, managed workspace, a range of heritage exhibits and numerous community rooms.
The Lido was selected by English Heritage as “one of the Seven Wonders of the English Seaside” and, following its successful restoration, it will continue to be an outstanding example of UK lido design.
Our Speaker
Phillip Naylor BArch(Hons) DipArch RIBA
Director, RH Partnership Architects
Phillip has been a director with rhp architects since 2005 and is jointly responsible for the management of the Brighton office.
He is passionate about projects that bring real benefit to the widest range of people and as such is our director for a wide range of publicly funded projects working with various local authorities, each with complex user group arrangements and often conflicting requirements.
This work includes a masterplan at Itchen Valley Country Park, a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated Waterside Centre, Phases 3, 4 & 5 of the Kings Road Arches restoration project on Brighton Seafront and, most recently, the Brighton Royal Estate Phase 2: Restoration of Pavilion Gardens.
Alongside this, Phillip is our director for the £8m restoration of Saltdean Lido, a commission won in competition during the Covid Pandemic.
Phillip will outline the backstory to this fascinating project, illustrating the Lido’s sad demise and the tremendous efforts undertaken by all involved that brought it back from the brink.
Web: rhpartnership.co.uk
X/T: @RHPartnership
References
Catch background information at:
RH Partnership, Saltdean Lido case study:
https://www.rhpartnership.co.uk/news/saltdean-lido-is-back
Saltdean Lido - Heritage:
https://www.saltdeanlido.co.uk/heritage
Saltdean Lido - Restoration:
https://www.saltdeanlido.co.uk/restoration
Social Media
Please post about the event using:
#lcecSL #lcecREGEN @RHPartnership @SaltdeanLido #lcecEvents #SECBEAwards
X/T: @LondonCEClub
LI: @london-constructing-excellence-club
IG: @londonconstructingexcellence
LCEC members and non-members are all welcome
