St. Petersburg has sponsored an international design competition for the redesign and replacement of its landmark Pier. Finalists included Bjarke Ingels Group, Michael Maltzan Architecture, and WEST 8 Urban Design and Landscape Architecture who submitted their designs on November 29 and are now displayed at the “Look, Think, Share” exhibit for public viewing and comment from December 6 to December 30.
Bjarke Ingels Group | THE WAVE
“The Wave conceived as a strong character on the skyline and waterline of St.Petersburg and Tampa Bay.”
Michael Maltzan Architecture | THE LENS
“Embracing the water at its center, the Lens is a loupe focused on the water, an observation point for the sky overhead, the water below, and the city skyline beyond.”
WEST 8 | THE ST.PETERSBURG EYE
“The legacy of the St. Petersburg Pier is that of a public amenity. A flexible, public pavilion, “the St. Petersburg Eye,” sited on the Downtown Shoal gives the people of St. Pete a public realm like
no other. Here, downtown dwellers can witness the sunrise from the beach, spend lunch with feet in the water, attend a public event at the Eye, or simply come to admire the horizon with a loved one. This will be the place that the people of St. Petersburg make their memories.”
We will feature more of the St.Petersburg Design Competition in our WLA #04 due out March 2012
IMAGE CREDITS: As Noted
it is ironic that the inspiration for this design is a natural form. The images above depict an architectural monument which sits uncomfortably between 5 star resort and despot style nationalistic grandeur. There is no soft touch at all in the interaction between the design and it’s natural environment.