Project: Hastings White Rock (4239)
Client: Hastings Borough Council
Architect: Saville Jones
Installation: 2019
Project Description: A sea-misting water feature with high density LED lighting on Hastings seafront
Challenge:
The White Rock Fountain, created in 1987, was decommissioned due to excessive water use and running costs. Award winning architect practice Saville Jones designed an attractive and sustainable replacement, perfect in its depiction of Hasting’s historical heritage and true sense of place.
The design and build of a new water feature on Hastings seafront presented Ustigate with several challenges. The presence of asbestos was discovered in the building proposed for the plant room. This building also presented a high risk of flooding. The main promenade is an area that is generally open to the public; offering only single carriageway with on and off loading limits and restrictions.
Collaborative working took place to bring all to life!
Success:
Ustigate embarked upon a design process to integrate a layout of misting jets and colour changing LED lights amongst the engraved stones of Hastings White Rock. A better, user-friendly location was selected for the plant room. During the construction phase, the project site was secured with heras fencing and health and safety signage and closed to the public. An on road, stop and go traffic management plan was adhered to and no more than 0.5 ton per m² was off-loaded at agreed times to protect the sea wall.
A low consumption and low maintenance water feature that depicts Hasting’s historical heritage now resides on Hastings seafront; seen as an “exploded rock” sculpture to commemorate the original Hastings White Rock that was blown up in 1834. The headland was reduced via a gunpowder explosion in 1834 to improve access and ease of passage to and from Hastings.
The water feature provides all year round enjoyment. During the summer it is a welcome spot for cooling down; complete with an activator for visitors to summon the sea mist at the touch of a button. At night, Hastings White Rock continues to please with its red, green, blue and pink colours. Hastings sea-misting water feature with LED lighting is efficiently programmed to operate on a timer. Our works included the design and build of Hastings White Rock, local planting and seating.
