Situated in Morecambe, East Gate invites users to engage in an active lifestyle while fostering a strong connection to nature. The design of the sailing club embraces Morecambe’s natural beauty, capturing scenic vistas and local wildlife. Sustainability is central to the project: reclaimed timber beams form the primary structure, while seaweed insulation and cork cladding create a breathable, environmentally conscious envelope. The reactivation of Morecambe and its relationship with nature were the core drivers of the design. Branching out from the sailing school, a public tidal pool and birdwatching pavilion offer unique community experiences. The tidal pool provides a safe environment for swimming within the bay’s often unpredictable tides, while the pavilion provides a tranquil space for observing Morecambe’s wildlife.
The three elements of the project, tidal pool, sailing club and the bird pavilion, are balanced lightly on the edge of Morecambe, extruding out to sea. The sailing club’s linear form acts as the backbone of the project, with the tidal pool and bird pavilion flowing off the sides.
Overlooked by the café and sailing school, the tidal pool offers users a safe swimming experience in Morecambe’s dangerous tidal waters. The bird pavilion overlooks Morecambe’s bird reservation. The kinetic roof is directly connected to the birds and nature around the site. As the tide lowers, and the birds come to the reservation to feed, the roof of the pavilion rises upwards, opening up the space. When the tide rises, and the birds fly away, the kinetic roof lowers.
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