Recreational seaside piers

Abstract

At Scheveningen, in Holland, a number of platforms over the sea have been recently set up. These platforms, or piers, constitute a set of recreational units. Each of these platforms, three in number, has a specific function, which is strictly sporting and recreational. One of them is a solarium, another is a fishing base, and the third a restaurant. Each of them is a fine viewpoint towards the sea and the coast. The section of the beach where these platforms are situated is bordered by a great maritime avenue, along which several hotels, amusement establishments and residential blocks are located. Access to these platforms is along a pier consisting of prestressed concrete portal frames. The partial structures making up these platforms have been carefully designed. Various constructional methods were initially proposed, including metallic and timber ones, but prestressed concrete was finally chosen as being the cheapest. The structure consists of a series of columns supporting a flooring deck with reinforcing members, of conventional design. Along the southern part of the United Kingdom there are various seaside piers, but their function is not strictly recreational nor a vantage point to watch the sea: they rather serve various aspects of daily life, which require moments of leisure. It was in this sense that the original project of these platforms was envisaged.