Littlehaven Promenade
CLIENT: South Tyneside CouncilLOCATION: South TynesideVALUE: £5MArtistic interventions celebrating a unique location.
Commissioned by South Tyneside Council and Royal Haskoning, the project aimed to enhance the public realm aspects of the Littlehaven Seawall, aligning them with structural requirements while fulfilling the aspirations of the Council and local community.
An initial client workshop helped establish a vision that celebrates the diverse character of Littlehaven Beach. The design concept emphasises the beach’s natural contrasts, from the open, wild, and exposed end to the more sheltered, calm, and intimate areas. The site’s unique geographical feature, where the river meets the sea, inspired a storytelling approach. This metaphorical exploration included integrating local cultural elements, such as sea shanties and poetry, to create a meaningful and resonant public space.
OOBE, in collaboration with Broadbent Studio, partnered with the Council to create a unique branding for Littlehaven, which is expressed through the design of the seawall and gateway features. The design strategically highlights the beach’s significant location at the mouth of the Tyne River, emphasising the presence of massive ships navigating daily. This theme is artistically represented by portholes incorporated into the gateways and seating areas, framing these impressive views and playing with scale.
The design also subtly references the coastal environment through bespoke seating shaped like diatoms—algae commonly found in the sea. These seats take on various geometric forms, such as circles, triangles, squares, and ellipses, echoing the natural diversity of diatoms.
Despite being commissioned late in the design process, OOBE’s involvement as landscape architects was instrumental in maintaining the project’s momentum. Their ability to quickly and effectively address the brief allowed the client to adhere to the fast-tracked schedule. The collaboration resulted in a cohesive design that not only enhances the structural elements of the seawall but also enriches the cultural and aesthetic experience of the site, seamlessly integrating functional and artistic aspects.
“Coming into the project at a late stage, OOBE quickly understood the brief provided and integrated within the project team. A range of measures were suggested by OOBE, incorporating softening of the engineering design, street furniture, surface treatments, bespoke artwork and softworks design.
OOBE’s flexible approach has assisted the development of the Littlehaven works, the team at OOBE have been on hand to provide input as the scheme has progressed from design into construction. A pragmatic approach by OOBE and a thorough understanding of South Tyneside Council’s requirements has allowed the scheme to be significantly enhanced further to their appointment.”
