The highlight of the event was the talk done by Thomas Heatherwick.  He talked about the design of the East Beach Café which the Heatherwick Studio designed.  The design of the café is to become a popular attraction and a place that could be opened up all year round. 

              

The café is located on the seafront offering good views of the sea.  The café design moved away from the stereotypical seaside building with shells and buckets painted on the facades.  The shell of the building is a series of undulating vertical slices cut out from steel.  The café also has a decked area on the top of the beach offering a place to eat outside. 

              

I really liked the design of the building and how it evolved.  I can see the café becoming a popular attraction and a reason to visit Littlehampton.  I also like the choice of the materials of the steel.  It will age and decay within the environment of the seaside location giving its unique character.  I also like the fact that the steel shell was constructed offsite by local welding experts which gives the project a more community based outcome.