Tidal Pier

Part of my design proposition will be a pier that harnesses energy from the tidal rhythms. This post looks to explain the simple physics involved. By trapping the water within a container the height difference created between high and low tides allows a 'head' to be created. On average this difference is around 4metres. But depending on the alignment of the sun and moon it can exceed 5.5 metres. The form needs to maximise the stored volume of water. I have searched for precedents but to no avail. The quick calculation indicates that the pier could provide energy for 400-500 homes per year. If the project looks to solve the energy needs for the entire town Tidal kites could be used to boost the energy generation.

The project looks to masterplan the Regis centre carpark. Three building currently make up the emsemble. Library and learning centre, Electrical Substation and Water front restaurant and pier.

Times of Plenty

Re-stating design concept.

 Envisaging a new direction for the town has allowed a project to emerge that allows the carnivalesque character and festivities to be restated as important moments in the year. A new name for the town 'Copaca' - Bognor has allowed a 'carnival for survival' to be imagined, where community resilience is at its core. The project generates power from the tidal rhythms that have a bigger impact as they coincide with the existing major hoildays that take place on through out the year. The town now thrives when the tides are high. Energy is produced and represent times of plenty which allows festival's to take place. The town through a number of architectural interventions will be more tuned to the movements of the sea and there fore earth, moon and Sun.

Allowing site to flood creates an urban condition that illustrates the celestial movements

Predicting tide fluctuations is easy as it relies the position of the sun and moon. Accurate seven day, annual and quarter of a century forecasts are compiled. This data can provide key dates in the future when energy production will be at its greatest. These dates become key festival days as the energy allows for a 'Time of plenty'.

High and Low tides are shown in the table below calculated up to the year 2026:

At 'Times of Plenty' the architecture has the opportunity to celebrate this extra energy. A sustainable Blackpool illuminations.

Brighton Pier, Photo Dominic Alves

A Tidal Story

The tide erodes our infrastructures, a story of decay and change.

West Pier, Brighton 2009.

Tidal Rhythms

The gravitational forces exerted by our Moon, Sun and the rotation of the Earth create a constant changing landscape where water meets rock. The mapping of tidal movements can take many interesting forms. Our infrastructures and environments are constantly marked by this celestial condition. From high to low tide our thresholds are eroded, destroyed, flooded, scattered with debris and marked with the stories of our physical world. The passing of time is seen as the water oscillates on the coasts and banks of our habitats. Our architectures have the ability to have ever changing dialogues with the environment and with our universe.

NASA/GSFC - M2 Tidal constituent, Amplitude is indicated by colour. Mapping of global tidal movements.