Grand designs
Friday 4th April 2008, 2:30PM BST.
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Guernsey Press
Like Les Banques these designs are incongrous with the surroundings and should not be allowed.
When we apply for decent development it always comes back from Environment?IDC as being incongrous. Another thing is that the Environment/IDC is not fit for purpose.
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This is a joke isn’t it?
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All the designs shown do not sit well with the current buildings and construction materials used in the immediate vicinity. They are definitely incongruous with the surroundings. A less cutting edge design is required as this will be a prominent feature on the water front. Lets hope the CI RYC are turned away from such a garish building. Look at the sympathetic designs of the building that houses Cellar D’Or and also the swiss centre!
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What wrong with a functional building that fits with the current architecture of the seafront? Is that so hard? I do not think that this is the location for making some kind of big architectural statement.
By the way don’t really like any of the designs but design D is terrible.
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Heaven forbid…. all six designs stick out like six sore thumbs ! Why not a more traditional Guernsey cottage style using granite stone and matching the existing buildings in town.
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If there was no choice then I’d go for No 2.But as said above something more “Guernsey”would be appropriate!
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Design A is definitely the best, and does the best at fitting in with the surrounding landscape.
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I think A1 works really well with the surrounding environemt, nicely scaled (unlike some of the other designs). Good use of materials give a traditional feel, while still offering modern lines.
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I think Number 5 is absolutely fantastic and would provide a beautiful addition to the pier. Vote 5
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Great! i like number 6.
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Something more “Guernsey”. Maybe a Yacht Club Design in the shape of a cow!
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Although most of these designs will fit well into the landscape, F is has the superior balance and rhythm to complement it’s surroundings. It is fresh, contemporary, modern design that is neither precocious nor self indulgent. No ‘sore thumbs’ here that I can see.
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I’m afraid (quite afraid, actually) that I am going to have to disagree with Kevin McCloud. Though they all have their individual merits, i think that many of them have the potential to become extremely dated in quite a short space of time. For light and internal ambience, I think that 6 is the best, and also makes the most of the views around the harbour including the castle. I think that there is the possibility to use Guernsey materials in this project in a way that the other schemes preclude there won’t be, and overall, I feel that no.6 will fit the best into the surrounding landscape.
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Guernsey is a beautiful island made up of different styles of architecture, we should welcome something new and innovative to the seafront. I vote F its the best by far.
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No 1 for me, I have lived and worked in Guernsey in the past and the Yacht Club is precious to alot of people..
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First off, being from the states and working in the architecture field I can appreciate what each scheme brings to the competition. However, Scheme A, I feel, does the best job of making a new and vibrant statement while still taking elements and responding to the vernacular of the area.
Further more, all too often people want the basic norm because they fear change. It is competition, much like this one, that allows us to protray to the public the brilliance and bueaty of bold statements that fit with the near by environment.
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I do not know much about architecture and I think that all of them should get credit for all the hard work they have done!
I have had a look at all the designs a couple of times but I would say that ‘Design A’ looks the best and it blends in well in the environment.
I hope all of you agree and vote for Design A (picture 1).
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Back to the drawing board i’m afraid to say
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Definitely design A!
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They are all awful!
4 or 5 are the lesser of 6 evils but even if the yacht club want a ‘contemporary’ design it should not be one of these.
Surely any balcony / terrace area should be situated on the East side of the building, looking out to sea. Not like designs 4 & 5 where it overlooks the road!?!
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Should have asked junior school children to design it. Would have saved a lot of time and money.
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Totally incongrous, to use an IDC expression.
In fact, they are all a disgrace – obviosly thought up by uncaring non-Guernsey people.
A traditional Guernsey design is called for in this important area. Modern for Modern’s sake is unacceptable.
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Well done to all but design A is the one I like best.
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I would really go for N2!
It fits in the landscape and suggests to be build of ‘Guernsey’ materials.
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bruce, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions – go to the markets!
I like design b and d !
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Design A for me.
Being a regular visitor to Guernsey I think the beautiful habour needs beautiful design. Design A will give the habour landscape it’s own unique look while not destroying what is already there.
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All the designs in my opinion are trying to be as inconspicable as possible and seem embarrassed to be seen in such a prominent position whereas the site gives the GYC a superb opportunity to provide a flagship building which is a landmark from out at sea and reflect the tall masts of the yachts seen all around the marinas. A good example of such a building is the Spinnaker tower on the Portsmouth waterfront. As for incongrous most buildings in Guernsey are deemed to be incongruous, because there are so many different pastiche domestic styles, Breton, Chalet Bungalows, neo-Georgian etc., you name it we have it, but surely any commercial building along the seafront, could use materials that have been used in historic buildings like the Castle, in a modernist way or rendered as lighthouses tended to be to functionally protect against the fierceness of the elements and their presence near to the sea.
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I think it will be a crying shame if any of these designs get the green light. This is Guernsey NOT some Yuppie backyard in London.
John G
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once again there is a scheme afoot to take away from the Guernseyman his/her history and heritage and to give to the incoming money of big business as they are the ones who will benefit most from this Scheme. As a private club It will be another piece of Guernsey Off limits the the honest Guernseyman and forever change our lovely harbour
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Take down those silly flags and we may stert getting somewhere
“From who shot the sheriff?”
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These designs are too bold for the area. I am all for change, but I think that these are taking things a bit too far. Besides, it is supposed to be a Yacht Club and I cannot see many/ any nautical themes apeparing.
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Appalling, incongrous. The thought of similiar building springing up around the coastline,because of the precedent set, by any of these plans, will kill the remaining beauty of the coastline of Guernsey.
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What a waste of tax payers money! Environment won’t allow some of the simplest of house extensions, yet they are considering these designs submitted!
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I am look forward to the final outcome which ever gets commissioned. Personally I think number one looks the most innovative without jarring with its environment or looking like an ill thought add on as some of the others do.
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It is such a shame that between a whole list of comments only a few people can muster up some decent comments.
The designers of these schemes have probably worked very hard to try and achieve something exciting and unique in the area that everyone can benefit from.
Some of the posters here could not sound any older if they tried and frankly, I am amazed that they know what the internet is…
If you don’t like the schemes, don’t just insult them, these are subjective issues, use the internet as an opportunity to say WHAT you don’t like about them and what you do like.
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What I would like to say about those sketches (plans)is not permissible;
About the heavy handed manner in assuming they have the right to build there is also not permissible:
So; if you can put words which I think not permissible; then I think you will have the right answer.,
But I am a Guernsey man born and bred.
Incidentally I do not live in Guernsey; I say this because some lout keeps reminding others of that fact.
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I have been coming to Guernsey for the past 30 years,and have seen a lot of changes [not all good i must say]. I think the designs for the new yacht club are definitly not within keeping with the harbour.Who would want to see a modern design next to Castle Cornet when coming into the harbour on Condor.
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Incongrous is the word that springs to mind for all of these “designs”. There is no good reason why the Royal Channel Island Yacht Club should have a club house in this location blocking the view of the harbour.
Also it is perhaps the worst place for parking on the harbour, a club house would just make the already bad situation worse. Build it at the Salerie near to where most of the local boats are moored not next to the visitors marina in the middle of town.
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All the designs are quite hideous and do not fit in, the Crown pier should be left alone. If they really need to build why not go next to the current Yacht club on the Castle pier. There’s plenty of room there, but Im sure Enviroment will allow it, as they are in favour of spoiling Guernsey!!
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why is guernsey so intent on losing its history and heritage. the building designs are terrible and would seem to be more in line with what i see here in london every day, horrible garish buildings which don’t reflect londons history. from an ex guern, please design something in the more traditional guernsey style.
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It is not about losing heritage , it is about creating future heritage. Scheme 1 posesses a strong presense on the site, with attrctive use of sympathetic material.
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As someone who appreciates excellence in both modern and traditional design, I’m afraid to say none of these proposals fit in either category. They make no bold statements – in fact the majority look like boring sheds or warehouses. Kevin McCloud would never have entertained any of them on Grand Designs – and my nine year old grand-daughter could do better without much effort.
Forget about heritage, history or whether or not they’re incongruous with their surroundings, forget about visitor impressions or traffic implications – if this is the best of the designs put forward for the competition, then Guernsey badly needs an influx of architectural fresh blood.
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Please don’t ruin anymore of our lovely old town. In my opinion they are not in keeping with the site. In fact I still think someone is having a joke but it won’t be a joke if any of these plans are passed.
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none are impresive and not in keeping with the surrounds.
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My vote would be for design A, as it has been better thought through than the rest. The lines of the building fit in well with the existing adjacent building and the rest of the waterfront. This design appears more tailored to its surroundings and creates a more harmonious effect.
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All the designs are pretty poor for the environment of St Peter Port. I’m quite sure a far better design can be achieved. Sited anywhere else, I think design 6 has a lot going for it.
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How could they ever think that any of these designs would be acceptable and we weren’t given much time to have a look to decide.It is the wrong place to be building a Yacht Club anyway.How did the Yacht Club come to own that part of the Crown Pier?I thought that the Harbours were States of Guernsey property.When did they sell?,or is it the case of ‘money talks’ again.
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“My 9 year old grand-daughter could do better.” Really? Then why the hell doesn’t she enter???!! If she trounced the competition (it sounds like she couldn’t lose) it would surely be world news! What a ridiculous comment.
I think 6 is without doubt the most fitting. It is neutral in colour, simple in design, a fitting scale and with its mast decoration, the only one that has made any real effort to fall in with it’s environment. Unfortunately the article gives us no idea of building functionality but 6 gets my vote on appearance. But what do I know I’m 31.
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The producers of these designs ought first to have visited Guernsey to view the location before dreaming up their designs. Not one of them adds any value to the beauty of St Peter Port Harbour. I trust none of them ever see the light of day.
Sailor John
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I notice how many vitriolic comments have been made about this club house, which will, after all, be subject to planning consent.
So why didn’t the new court building, which was *not* subject to planning consent (being a States Building – see IDC Law 1966, Part IV 30), raise the same public outrage?
Was it because…’It will be built in the Georgian Idiom’ (R. Berry, States meeting
on 26/12/2000).
Now we know what fits in with the ‘urban grain’ and what doesn’t, let’s get the States to employ an architect to design the Yacht Club; that way everyone will be happy. The building will be hideous, unnecessary, show poor use of space but have a delightful roof line that reflects our industrial heritage.
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I hate all of the designs Guernsey is a nice place to be because of all it’s country side and beuaty. do you all really want to build it up and distroy it?
I think you should scrap all the designs and focouse on the enviroment.
Do you really want to ruin Guernesey, the wonderful place to be?
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Please respect the history of the piers and the powerful stone structures which have acted as a bulwark against the elements for generations.
They all look too fragile and incongruous.
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I would certainly say that the Royal Channel Island yacht club should be allowed to build on that site. The RCIY and the Crown pier have been associated for many years.
All the designs have their own merits but I would choose #2 for the following reasons.
Could be built in granite
Has a low profile
Will good view with the many windows.
AJB
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There is only really one design here that succintly compliments the present site, that is design A.
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I prefer the slight querkiness of design A
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Design A for me please. I love how its contemporary style complements the serene water’s edge. Good job!
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Design A is definitely the best by far
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Design A is the best; a contemporary yet fitting design. Although it may it may be hard to take on a new design, it is always healthy to update and move forward – think of the impression it will make on visitors, not to mention the functionality of this new design for those using the facilities.
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I don’t know Guernsey but I prefer the style of design A.
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I can’t quite believe that people are actually entertaining the idea that any of the designs are better than design A! It is by far the superior design.
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I think they’re all hideous
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Design ‘B’ (picture 2) has won the vote, and will be submitted to the Environment Department for approval.
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I am against any type of building on the Crown Pier, these designs are totally out of character with the area, and for a two story building to even be considered is outrageous.
Surely the best solution is to combine the two Yacht club buildings at the Model yacht pond area with an extension on the side of the existing club house.
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Comment 35 – Thierry fully agree with your comments. Seems like Guernsey is full of old foggies who cannot accept changes and would be happy to see some ‘country style’ cottage! As for some pathetic comments – ‘my grandaughter or schoold kids could do better…’, please grow up!
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Design A looks the best to me. I think you should go for this one. The others look like they are half finished and/or look like they’d fall down! I especially do not like Design F, ugly. Go for Design A.
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Design A is great. Simply comparing it to the others would be an insult to the innovation of such a design. By far the best. Were the designers for B – F told not to try hard?
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