Brighton’s Contemporary Architecture Scene
While Brighton is rightly celebrated for its Regency and Victorian architectural heritage, the city also has an interesting contemporary architecture story. From the spectacular British Airways i360 to innovative housing developments, regenerated industrial buildings, and university campus architecture, Brighton’s modern built environment demonstrates that architectural ambition hasn’t left the city since the Regency era.
The British Airways i360
The i360, completed in 2016 and designed by Marks Barfield Architects (the practice behind the London Eye), is Brighton’s most significant piece of contemporary architecture. The slender tower’s elegant proportions and its relationship to the ruins of the historic West Pier beside it create an extraordinary dialogue between present and past on Brighton’s seafront.
Brighton’s University Architecture
Both the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex have made significant architectural investments in recent years. The University of Brighton’s City Campus features bold contemporary academic buildings. The University of Sussex’s Falmer campus, largely designed by Basil Spence in the 1960s, is a listed complex of considerable architectural interest.
The New Road Pedestrianisation
The New Road pedestrianisation project, completed in 2007, was an award-winning urban design intervention that transformed a busy city centre road into a shared public space. The project, designed by Gehl Architects, has been widely studied as a model for urban pedestrianisation and has significantly improved the quality of life in the city centre.
Brighton’s Housing Innovation
Several innovative housing developments in Brighton and Hove have won architectural recognition. The BedZED-influenced eco-housing at Kingsway in Hove and various sustainable residential developments demonstrate the city’s ambition to build with environmental responsibility.
Industrial Heritage Regenerated
Brighton’s former industrial and railway buildings have been creatively converted into contemporary uses. The New England Quarter around the station has seen significant regeneration, and various former industrial buildings have become arts venues, offices, and residential developments.
Stay in Regency Brighton Near Modern Landmarks
West Pier Residence Brighton at 14-15 Regency Square, Brighton BN1 2FG is positioned between historic and contemporary Brighton — next to the i360 and within the Regency conservation area. Call 01273 933507 to book your architecture break.
Book Your Brighton Architecture Break
Explore Brighton’s architectural timeline from Regency to contemporary at West Pier Residence Brighton. Book today!
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