Hugh Town, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, UK.
The overall development of Porthcressa Beach comprised the conversion of an old granite barn into a new library, the construction of a new registry office, live/work units and beach-side public amenities, and landscaping of the surrounding waterfront and foreshore.
Grainge Architects provided the technical package for the regeneration works. The island location, extreme weather conditions and challenging ground conditions required bespoke construction detailing to achieve the architectural vision. For example, the conversion of the granite barn involved specialised tanking solutions to ensure that the inherent dampness within the walls, combined with the proximity of the sea, did not compromise the strict environmental requirements of a library. Many of the principal building elements were designed to enable them to be shipped across from the mainland, ensuring an efficient and economical construction process.
