The Beach Huts, Blyth

Location: Blyth, Northumberland
Client: Blyth Valley Borough Council
Status: Completed 2017

Project Description:

The project results from the desire of Blyth Valley Borough Council to open up the Blyth Links, and create a vibrant facility for the local population. The scheme consists of twenty chalets in two blocks of ten. These are accessible from the seafront promenade, but have a dual aspect design with a private terrace area to the rear of each chalet. The chalets have been designed to capitalize on the open public space to the rear of the chalets, which allows the opportunity for children’s play whilst being supervised by family on the rear decked terrace.

The external materials are predominantly natural, but delivered in a modern, contemporary design. The chalets were designed to allow for a speedy and efficient build, with limited life maintenance costs. The use of environmentally friendly construction techniques and renewable energies help reduce the impact of the scheme on its surroundings.

The scheme also includes an associated wind turbine, to the rear of the chalets, which is connected to the chalets and the national grid. The roofs of the chalets are sedum green roofs, which help the chalets to blend in with the natural dune landscape within which they are set. The incorporation of

artworks and a series of light features were also a key feature of the design.

The scheme was delivered on a tight schedule, in order to fit in with the amalgamation of Blyth Valley Borough Council into Northumberland County Council unitary authority.