Modern building facade with horizontal wooden slats, large windows reflecting the sunset, and trees in front; architecture by MOXON Architects.
Whitehaven

Whitehaven

Cumbria, England

2010

Client   BECBC
This new multi-use scheme for Whitehaven Harbour presents a contextually sensitive design that balances the functional needs of 40 apartments and 4,000 sqm of office space with a refined approach to proportion and materiality. The architecture emphasises careful detailing and distinctive materials without overwhelming the harbour setting - serving, like its Georgian neighbours, as an elegant backdrop to the lively waterfront.
Modern marina with docked yachts, a contemporary building in the background, and an artistic overlay of sailboat masts, architecture by MOXON Architects.

The building is composed of four elements: a base of punctuated brickwork topped by three timber-clad volumes facing the sea. These upper volumes are articulated with balconies and parapets to create a horizontal emphasis suited to the waterfront. The use of sustainable, FSC-certified Ekki timber - commonly found in marine structures - ensures long-term durability without chemical treatment. 

A varied, stepped roofline helps break down the building's mass, strengthening the corner of Duke Street and the promenade while tapering toward the south to transition into the adjacent Georgian context. The silhouette complements the town’s roofscape, and green roofs are proposed to enhance views from surrounding hills.

A line drawing of a modern abstract building with large block-like structures, trees, and landscaping, architecture by MOXON Architects.
Floor plan sketches showing a multi-story building's layout, with various room configurations, corridors, and communal areas, architecture by MOXON Architects.
Architectural section drawings of a multi-story residential building with varied heights and internal layouts, architecture by MOXON Architects.
A marina with sailboats docked, masts creating vertical lines, modern buildings in the background, and architecture by MOXON Architects.
Modern buildings with horizontal slats and greenery, overlooking a marina with sailboats, architecture by MOXON Architects.

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