Cafe Bar Deal Pier
Deal Pier is a splendid restaurant overlooking the ocean in Kent, United Kingdom. It could be compared to the skeleton of a beached whale or the ribcage of a ship. To the best of my belieifs this is an ideal setting for a cup of tea, or just a drink. Some of us would prefer to sit on an empty deck on a windless balmy afternoon and enjoy the panorama of the sky, sea and light.
The cafe is exposed to the full force of the maritime environment and the choice of materials is important. Hardwood and mass concrete weather best and are improved with exposure. The hardwood will turn silver grey to match the concrete of the pier.
The cafe has a rectangular form with repeating bays. The glazed cafe is located at the south end of the building and maximises views. Cool air is drawn through the underside of the deck and out through roof vents. A wind turbine, used to help power the building in use, will dump heat into benches for use by the anglers at night.
Deal Pier cafe is also a popular spot between the fishermen. Fishing is starting to improve gradually. Deal Pier is one of two surviving piers in Kent and is the only new pier to have been built in Britain since the Second World War. The elegant design by winning Architect, Niall McLaughlin, provided the most successful resolution to the complex demands of the cafe’s highly exposed coastal location and was officially opened to the public in November 2008.
