Chip Shop by sea wins design award

Michael Otchie, 25, a final year architecture student at the University of Liverpool, won the Brighten New Brighton competition organised by engineering and environmental consultancy Royal Haskoning.The panel of five judges, including Professor Phil Redmond, deputy chairman of Liverpool Cultural Company, and Rob Mason of Neptune Developments, praised his work ‘New Brighton Seahouse’, for promoting, in a subtle way, a little tranquillity for the New Brighton seafront. Michael Otchie says the whole structure could be built for £2m.

‘Michael’s work sees New Brighton as a destination for a different reason than in its past days when it was a thriving seaside resort and playground for Liverpool day-trippers,’ said Royal Haskoning Liverpool Director of Building and Infrastructure, David Ricketts.

In his submission Michael told the judges his Seahouse is a modern interpretation of two quintessential British institutions, the tea house and the chip shop. Playful buildings, at the end of a purpose built promenade, would provide the ideal setting to relax and overlook views of both the iconic skyline of Liverpool, the River Mersey and the Irish Sea.

His scheme makes extensive use of shipbuilding technologies as a means to ‘create charming structures that evoke the character of the area’. Michael, who won £1,000, is originally from Northampton.

After receiving his award he said, ‘I had been to New Brighton as a visitor before the competition was announced and I was aware of what it had been in the past. But I saw the new New Brighton as a very quiet seafront town, quaint and almost with a sleepy village atmosphere. New Brighton should become a tourist destination for what it is now.

‘It would be amazing if my Seahouse was built. I stand by the design as a piece of contemporary architecture and believe it would be a great addition to New Brighton.’