The De La Warr Pavilion was designed by Erich Mendelsohn and Serge Chermaieff, who were commissioned in 1935 by the 9th Earl De La Warr. The architects were commissioned to design a pavilion that provided the people with access to local culture and leisure.
Outside the Pavilion © Ashley Bingham and Mark Ellis at ICD Ltd
The innovative steel and concrete pavilion was designed as a space to provide culture and leisure to the people who lived in Bexhill on Sea and to regenerate the surrounding area.
The De La Warr Pavilion was unique at the time it was designed and built, being the first public building built in the Modernist style within the UK. At the time Modernism was emerging in the UK and across Europe as a dominant architectural style and would go on to influence public and private building throughout the century.
Seventy years after it was first opened, and following a period of decay, the Pavilion underwent an £8 million pound restoration, bringing the building back to its former grandeur and injecting modern and functional influences to create a cultural space for the 21st Century.
Architectural style
20th century Modernism. The De La Warr Pavilion was designed by Erich Mendelsohn and Serge Chermaieff.
Quirky facts
- Much of the 1930’s interior detail in the building was lost in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
- As part of the re-opening in October 2005, furniture designers Barber Osgerby were commissioned to design the furniture for the internal spaces.
Building highlights
- Modernist structure with a steel and concrete pavilion, built in a coastal setting.
- The renovation of the De La Warr Pavilion by John McAslan and partners improved the ventilation throughout the building and brought the flat sun-deck roof back in to use.
- The Pavilion has the largest contemporary art gallery space in the South East, with an auditorium seating 1,000 people.
- Indoor and outdoor spaces are set against the panoramic sea views of Bexhill on Sea.
Interior staircase of the Pavilion © Ashley Bingham and Mark Ellis at ICD Ltd
Using the De La Warr Pavilion as a teaching resource
As an historic building and one of the best examples of Modernist architecture, the De La Warr Pavilion can be used to support teaching and learning across a range of subjects, including design and technology, art and design and maths. The Pavilion can be used:
- To show how cultural spaces can be renovated to enhance public participation.
- To learn about the Modernist movement in Britain and Modernist architecture.
- To learn about the influences of Modernist interior architecture on domestic design, housing and public buildings in Britain and across Europe.
Suggested teaching activities
Key stage 3 – Art and design and history
Imagine you have been asked to design an extension to your school that can be used as a cultural space for the wider community. Drawing on examples from the renovation of the De La Warr Pavilion, draw the main features of your design and show how a space can encourage public participation.
Key stage 3 – English and history
Write a visual history of the Modernist movement in Britain, using examples of local buildings in your area (or across the UK) and wider research. Explore the way that historical events in the early to mid 20th Century shaped Modernism in Britain.
Key stage 3 – Design and technology
The De La Warr Pavilion displays a range of architectural styles from the Modernist period, including the use of steel, glass and concrete. Interior furniture was functional and influenced the design of products that became common in households in pre-war Britain. Find examples of furniture from this period and design a modern structure for your school building based on Modernist principles.
Region
South East
Location
The De La Warr Pavilion
Marina
Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex TN40 1DP
School access
Open daily from 10am to 6pm. School groups can visit the Pavilion on: an independent visit; a guided tour; or with a practical artist-led workshop. For full details about school programmes, visit the De La Warr Pavilion website.
Further information and related resources
Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture
Sources
The Open University – BBC
The De La Warr Pavilion website
World architecture news
