project

Butlins Skyline Pavilions – Large-Span Tensile Fabric Roofs at Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness

Membrane
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  • Copyright. Buro Happold \ Mandy Reynolds
  • Copyright. Buro Happold \ Mandy Reynolds
  • Copyright. Buro Happold \ Mandy Reynolds
  • Copyright. Buro Happold \ Mandy Reynolds
  • Copyright. Buro Happold \ Mandy Reynolds
  • Copyright. Buro Happold \ Mandy Reynolds
  • Copyright. Buro Happold \ Mandy Reynolds
  • Copyright. Buro Happold \ Mandy Reynolds

General information

  • Home page
    https://www.architen.com/products/external-tensile-fabric-standard-system/
  • Location address
    Butlins resorts at Bognor Regis (West Sussex), Minehead (Somerset) and Skegness (Lincolnshire), UK
  • Location country
    United Kingdom
  • Year of construction
    1998
  • Name of the client/building owner
    Rank Group Holiday Division
  • Function of building
    Entertainment & recreation
  • Climatic zone
    Temperate - cold winters and mild summers
  • Primary function of the tensile structure
    • Daylight gains
    • Rain protection
    • Space defining elements

Description

The Skyline Pavilions were built in 1998 for the Rank Group's holiday division as part of a major reinvestment in the Butlins resorts at Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness. At each resort, a large-span tensile fabric roof creates a covered, all-weather heart to the site: a bright, sheltered public space for entertainment, shops, bars and family activities that can be used whatever the British seaside weather.

Designed by S&P Architects with engineering by Buro Happold, the pavilions use cable-supported PVC-coated polyester membrane from Serge Ferrari. Tensile fabric made it possible to cover very large areas economically and quickly across three sites in a single programme, while the translucent white membrane gives the resorts a recognisable, festive skyline and lets daylight into the spaces beneath.

Architen Landrell fabricated and installed the membrane roofs at all three resorts. More than 25 years on, the Skyline Pavilions remain a defining feature of the Butlins resorts and an early example of tensile membrane architecture used at scale in UK leisure.

Client/building owner: Rank Group Holiday Division (Butlins). Architect: S&P Architects. Engineer: Buro Happold. Membrane: Serge Ferrari. Membrane fabrication and installation: Architen Landrell.

Description of the environmental conditions

Coastal holiday resort sites in a temperate maritime climate, exposed to wind and rain. The translucent PVC-coated polyester roofs provide all-weather cover and daylight to large public entertainment spaces.

Material of the cover

  • Cable-net/Fabric/Hybrid/Foil
    Cable
  • Material Fabric/Foil
    Polyester
  • Material coating
    PVC

Main dimensions and form

Duration of use

Involved companies

Editor