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Divers Facility East Coast

Part 1 Project 2007
Dan Tassell
 University of Sheffield | UK
The scuba dive facility provides a base for the exploration of wrecks scattered off the North Yorkshire coast.

The building establishes a relationship with the site by mediating between the dramatic scale of Filey Brigg and the smaller-scale spaces that users interact with. Inspired by offshore architecture, the structure can be built in stages, modified and eventually left as a wreck to be explored by future visitors.

Spatial narrative is used to anticipate how progression through a carefully considered series of spaces could encourage exchange between different building users, and offers a continuation of the linear journey along the Brigg.


This project offers a New Facility for the Filey Brigg Research group. The conceptual premise for the work was to offer a focus where divers and the public could interact. Early prototypical constructions were fully exposed to the elements, this allowed an understanding of their presence and their potential impact on the architecture. The intervention on the coast would become not only a destination for the area but also encourage enhanced human interaction with land, sea and horizon. The final drawings are spatially evocative. Overall a fantastic piece of architecture that that is both physically sophisticated and intellectually rigorous.
2007
Introduction - Brief response and early skeches.
Site plan - The building sits at the end of Filey Brigg, addressing the landscape and harnessing the power of the waves.
Defining the character of Filey Brigg - Coastal retreat, linearity and dramatic contrast provide a set of conditions to respond to.
Activity in the Landscape - The building has a responsibility to facilitate and enhance existing activities enjoyed on the brigg.
1:1 prototype - Material and spatial exploration on the North Yorks coast helped inform a response to site conditions.
Section - A series of small-scale spaces are aligned along an ascending route, continuing the journey to brigg end. These spaces combine to form a building which responds to the scale of the steep cliffs and serves as beacon to passing vessels.
Elevations - The building presents a defensive boundary to the hostile North Easterly elements, and fractures to the South to permit light. A permeable outer skin forms semi-enclosed spaces.
Vertigo - Exposure to the elements increases as the journey reaches its end. The functional spaces of the dive centre give way to spaces that encourage interaction and experience.
Journey's End - The gallery of found objects provides an informal exhibition of the relics and artefacts recovered from the seabed. Fractured glass recreates the glistening light of the sea's surface above, immersing the visitor in the diver's world.
Interface detail - Exploring the relationship between materials and structure.
Plan (1) - The building's plan has been unravelled to show how the spaces arrange themselves along the public route. Below, images hint at the material quality of these spaces.
Plan (2) - The route climbs through the functional scuba dive facilities. Spaces are hard-wearing and permeable to enable water to run-off.
Plan (3) - The spaces become drier and more refined to facilitate public amenities and research space.
Plan (4) - The route splits with the public continuing their ascent around the outside of a private 'courtyard' of accommodation.
Plan (5) - The two routes converge at a series of enclosed and semi-enclosed learning spaces, encouraging exchange and interaction. The gallery of found objects shifts off axis to align with the Brigg, framing the dramatic view.
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