Birnbeck Island and Pier

Weston-Super-Mare | Urban Splash | RIBA International Competition

Studio Partington were one of the best practices from around the world “bursting with inspiration and ideas” shortlisted for Urban Splash’s international architecture competition to create the special new Birnbeck, which it so thoroughly deserves. Our proposal, which included a new inhabited ‘pier’ on the south side of Birnbeck Island, was one of six selected to bring life back and create a fantastic development with public access, new attractions and facilities to draw more residents, workers and tourists to Weston-super-Mare. The Grade II* listed pier was completed in 1867 and was designed by the great pier builder Eugenius Birch. Over the years the now faded tourist attraction has played host to thousands and thousands of holidaymakers; paddle steamers used to ferry people to and from Wales, with the last journey made in 1979.