Worthing is the largest town in West Sussex with a population in excess of 100,000. It plays a key role in the network of towns along the south coast and has been an attractive visitor destination since the 19th century. The town is set amongst five miles of idyllic coastline to the south and is a gateway to the South Downs to the north, an area of countryside known for its scenic beauty which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is awaiting confirmation of national park status. Its present day form is reflective of its diverse and interesting historical development. Whilst it used to be cast as a destination for the elderly and a place to retire, the population dynamics are changing with a younger population expanding in the town.

Worthing Borough Council has identified the need for a new swimming facility to be built alongside and to replace the town’s existing swimming complex known locally as the “Aquarena”. Worthing Borough Council feel it is essential that the existing swimming complex is retained and kept open to the public during construction of the new one and they realise this may be a constraint on the design and layout of the new pool.

The site located adjacent to the seafront and close to the town centre is a wonderful development opportunity and the Council is keen to ensure that a first class leisure facility can be provided together with a mixed use development which maximises the potential of the site and positively enhances this prominent seafront location.

• Establish guiding principles for the regeneration of the seafront to become a more vibrant destination ;
• Re-establish the seafront as a high quality visitor destination and local resource, with an improved range of facilities and environment to meet local/visitor expectations and the needs of all age groups;
• Improve the range and quality of the visitor experience by attracting new facilities and attractions that bring a sense of life and vitality to the seafront;
• Encourage activities and investment that broaden the appeal to new market segments and encourage a higher level of spend by visitors;
• Balance the needs for commercial facilities with the protection and enhancement of historic buildings, natural features and public spaces;
• Expand current marketing activities and develop an expanded events programme;
• Improve connectivity and linkages and the quality of the pedestrian environment along the seafront and between the seafront and the town centre;
• Promote sustainable modes of transport including walking and cycling.

Design principles
It will be important to maximise the development potential, whilst respecting the constraints of the site. To the north, adjacent to the Brighton Road, the Farncombe Road Conservation Area and the scale and massing of the adjoining townscape should be respected. To the West, the setting of the Grade II* Beach House will require special consideration.

A development brief is currently being prepared for the whole of the Aquarena site as it is envisaged that the area currently occupied by the existing swimming facility and the area to the south of it will be sold for development. This will be made available once a draft is completed.

The site and outline proposals for the new facility present a rare opportunity to design and create a truly stunning new flagship facility on a prestige seafront site.

Invitation
Selection will take the form of an invited design competition preceded by expressions of interest from architect-led design teams. From the expressions of interest up to six teams will be identified to take part in the design phase. They will prepare design concept proposals in response to a design brief and will present these ideas to a Panel of Assessors.

The competition is being organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Competitions Office on behalf of the Council. The competition will be organised in two stages as follows:

Stage 1 : Expressions of interest
Stage 2 : Up to six teams invited to develop design ideas

Expressions of Interest : Submission Requirements
Expressions of interest should be submitted on a maximum of 20 single sided A4 pages in total. Three copies should be provided.

• an introduction to the team, reasons for applying for this project and what specialist skills the team is able to provide
• details of previous related projects, including illustrations
• details and brief CVs of key people within the team proposed for this project

Eligibility
The competition is open internationally to registered architects. Architects should name the consultants with whom they would work in their application.

Honoraria
Each team invited to take part in stage two of the competition will be expected to prepare and submit 2 A1 design boards plus supporting written material. Each team will be paid an honorarium of £6,000 + VAT for the preparation of this design work.

The winner’s honorarium represents an advance on professional fee.