De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill to undergo major renovation

Plans have been submitted for the renovation of the De La Warr Pavilion, located on the seafront at Bexhill.

The Grade I listed building was constructed in 1935 and is famous for its Modernist and International style structure.

The Pavilion, owned by Rother District Council and operated by the De La Warr Pavilion Charitable Trust, reopened as a contemporary arts centre in 2005 after extensive restoration.

According to the application, the Pavilion is showing significant signs of wear and tear and “deterioration of the fabric” due to extensive use, coastal environmental conditions, and insufficient investment in maintenance and repair.

The building is apparently in need of repairs (Image: Haworth Tompkins) The renovation project will be financed through public funding, including the Levelling Up Fund, and support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.

The project aims to restore the pavilion’s fabric, improve accessibility, refurbish the auditorium, and enhance public facilities.

The renovations will be carried out in phases, prioritised according to the condition of the building and operational challenges.

The plan includes improving the building’s physical accessibility, enhancing experiences for those with sensory impairments and neurodivergent users, and improving access to cultural and heritage offerings.

Environmental sustainability is also a key theme of the renovation project.

New landscape interventions will be introduced to improve the quality and accessibility of the public realm, providing climate-resilient biodiversity enhancements and integrating climate-resilient irrigation and drainage strategies.

More accessible seating will be installed in the auditorium (Image: Haworth Tompkins) The building’s fabric will be enhanced to improve thermal performance, air tightness, and durability.

New service systems will be installed to improve energy efficiency and user comfort, reducing carbon emissions.

This includes new low-energy lighting, new ventilation systems, and new low-temperature heating infrastructure.

On-site renewable energy will be produced through the installation of an extensive photovoltaic array on the auditorium roof.

The cultural space will also be improved.

The auditorium and stage house will undergo refurbishment, improving accessibility, flexibility and technical capabilities.

The foyers and gallery spaces will also be revamped and altered to improve the audience experience and address operational issues, while enhancing the building’s original modernist design principles.

The project will also see improvements to the commercial spaces within the building.

The proposed new studio space is visible here on the left (Image: Haworth Tompkins) The bars, café, and restaurant will be improved, and catering support spaces enlarged to increase revenue and improve financial resilience.

Operational enhancements will be made throughout the building to better support commercial hire and events.

A new purpose-designed studio will also be created.

The studio will support both the learning offer and opportunities for commercial revenue generation through private hire, performance and events.

The project will also enhance facilities for learning and participation throughout the building.

A new purpose-built flexible studio space with capacity for sub-division will be created.