Zinc focal point for £14m Hastings Pier restoration

The Grade II-listed Hastings Pier, winner of this year’s Stirling Prize, has VMZINC® standing seam roofs in a natural finish. They are undoubtedly the most immediately recognisable feature of the £14.2m restoration, de Rijke Marsh Morgan’s vision having followed years of neglect and closure for eight years after a suspected arson attack in 2010. Ultimately, the pier was compulsorily purchased after lack of interest by its owners in addressing the fire damage.

Described as a national Victorian treasure, the natural zinc spans seating areas and will weather to take on the textured, natural grey patina for which the metal is renowned. The standing seam work was undertaken by specialist metals contractor Roles Broderick Roofing, whose craftsmen also installed ornamental handmade zinc finials.

Phase 1 of dRMM’s design has three main elements: an entirely new West African ekki hardwood deck, the restored Victorian Western Pavilion with two new ‘pods’ and seating areas with benches made from recovered decking. The Heritage Lottery Fund enabled preliminary repairs to be undertaken to damage below deck – a combined result of the fire, salt water erosion and storm damage. A small portion of the grant was used to convert the single remaining derelict Victorian Pavilion on the pier into a revitalised, open plan, fully glazed and extended version of the past.

Phase 2 will see VMZINC PIGMENTO® Blue 1mm thick interlocking panels used on walls of the new visitor centre.