Published: Thursday, 17th April, 2008 10:02am

Could this be a glimpse into the future?

by Steve McElroy

TALENTED architecture students used their powers of perception to transform one of Helensburgh"s main features - and show how it could be dynamically redeveloped for the future.

The brief was comparatively simple - for students to "pier" into the future and come up with schemes which would transform the town"s controversial seafront site into a water"s edge attraction for visitors and locals.

And their efforts did not disappoint nor go unrewarded for some when a variety of ideas were forthcoming, including turning the structure into a Neopolitan timber-clad pier, a "Garden of Eden," a Royal Festival Hall, a water"s-edge house of fun and a thought-provoking apocalyptic vision of global warming.

They were among the prize-winning entries in an open student architectural competition organised by Helensburgh and District and Civic Society in conjunction with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland.

The competition - with a £3,000 prize fund - sought ideas from the students of six schools of Scottish architecture.

The aim was to encourage concepts which will revitalise the pier environment and enhance the town"s seafront with distinctive, innovative designs which could provide public use for leisure, recreation and tourism, in an attractive, high-quality and appealing setting.

The brief sought ideas for a new swimming pool, restaurant, car parking, open space for public events, sea views, a fun fair, children"s play area and skateboard facility.

Last week the winning entry by student Logan Doak won him a cheque for £1,250 with second and third winning entries receiving £750 and £500 respectively and five commendations awarded £100 each.

They were presented with cheques for their imaginative and thought-provoking ideas, all of which were praised by a large number of guests - with the three main prize designs all said to be potentially viable.

Provost Billy Petrie, who handed over cheques for the winning entries, which were on view at Helensburgh lawn tennis clubhouse, said: 'Helensburgh Pier has been a feature of the town which used to be known as the Garden City.

'It"s a special site and one which has been jealously guarded down the years.

'Helensburgh is not so much a tourist area but it is a day trippers" paradise so we have to make sure that we have got things right for them and its residents.'

The Provost said that 150 years ago when the railway was brought to Helensburgh, it was considered having the line along the seafront but, instead, it was decided to take it to Princes Street.

He referred to the town"s architectural interest, from designers such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Greek Thomson to the variety of art deco houses which have been built.

He added: 'The aim should be in keeping the pier site alive. The students, who have come up with these designs, are the architects of tomorrow and they have to be congratulated for their efforts.

'Nowadays they have to look at such factors as climate change and rising water levels.

'I thank them on behalf of the town - they have given everyone food for thought.'

Architect David Page, a former Helensburgh man, said the young architects were given the basic parameters which were that there should be public use of the front.

He said the students had shown 'quality of work well beyond their years' and commended the Civic Society for creating the competition and hoped other similar groups would also follow suit.

Of Glasgow student Logan Doak"s winning entry, Mr Page felt that it was a 'clever answer' to the brief and he had shown the pier to be a 'coat hanger' by putting everything alongside the pier, including a garden and car park.

Findlay McQuarrie, of the Civic Society, said they were 'delighted' with the quality and number of entries for the competition and added: 'We set the students a difficult challenge and they have responded with original proposals for the Helensburgh pier area. The winning entries are worthy of serious study.'

The three main winners and the commended entries are now on show at the town"s library.

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