Ringway Project receives RIBA Award

Designed by London based architects, Tonkin Liu, the Esplanade in Dover is an exciting project that seeks to refresh and improve the sea front while connecting the new sea sports centre and harbour area with the town. The main focus of the build was to improve community links with the space and the stylised aesthetic provides a perfect recreation area for locals and tourists alike.

“To be involved in a project such as the Esplanade Dover is truly a privilege”, says Ringway Spokesperson Tracey Elms. “The design by Tonkin Liu imaginatively blends the sea into the harbour area and to have implemented this creative, award winning design is a real achievement for Ringway’s engineers. The fact it is for a public space is an added bonus and we all hope the Esplanade continues to attract people. It’s a beautiful space and Ringway is so pleased to have contributed to an area that serves the local community so well.”

The design works on the concept of three rolling waves which seamlessly bridge the gap between the Esplanade and beach. The Lifting Wave is a repeating form of curving white pre cast concrete ramps and staircases that rise and fall to connect the Esplanade to the lower shingle beach. The Resting Wave is a second sculptural white pre cast concrete wall made up of a series of moulded curves. The recesses house oak benches and the promontories raised lawns. The third line is the Lighting Wave.  The lighting columns rise and fall like froth on the bubbling crest of a wave. These deceptively effortless interventions lend this shore line path a true sense of place and of fun.

Ken Buncher, Senior Commercial Manager for Ringway, worked closely with Kent County Council on the project who benefited from his input from any early stage due to an adapted NEC Engineering and Construction contract:

“The contract encouraged us, through early involvement, to offer design contributions, collaborative risk management and pre-construction-phase programming,” said Ken. “This cooperative approach allowed us all to tease the most out of the design, making it more robust and all without losing sight of the budget.

Being able to contribute so early on made for a great working relationship pressing ahead with the build. Team morale was extremely strong and we were able to harness the engineering and construction experience straight away. This opportunity  created a forum for innovation and we were all able to act quickly on project developments and changes.

Being able to work so closely with both the client and the architects meant there was little disruption, fewer variations during the construction and a better overall integration of construction methods.

The success of the project has seen it become an attraction in its own right with many people flocking to its shops, bars and restaurants. Many of the projects that received RIBA Awards were for residential properties, but the Esplanade stands out for its contribution to public spaces and was widely praised for its sculptural design and artistic flair.

Judged on a regional basis and approved by a national awards jury, the South East region buildings are amongst 97 buildings in the UK and Europe which have received RIBA Awards today (89 in the UK and 8 in the rest of the EU).  The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize, for the building of the year, will be drawn from the 97 RIBA Award winners.