Viewing Platform
Watergate Tower, High Street, Southampton

A steel framed viewing tower, clad in copper mesh designed to become an integral element within Southampton City Council’s Old town walk.

When first constructed the Watergate Tower, in conjunction with a twinned tower provided a prominent defensive position and acted as a gateway into Southampton from the sea. This proposal aims to provide the general public with the opportunity to experience the view from the top of the tower and link with existing Old Town Wall experiences.

The proposed structural form is driven by the geometry and proportion of the tower remains, the semi-circular plan references the tower but is offset to allow for visual and construction tolerances, the height of the top deck is set to ‘float’ above the existing structure and intermediate levels reference street level and points of interest as the staircase ascends. The sides of the structure are clad in copper mesh which acts as a veil to partially conceal the new structure and suggest the mass and form of the original tower. The use of mesh as cladding also reduces wind loading.

Limited founding points within the footprint of the existing tower result in the top viewing deck cantilevering from primary structure in order to achieve the desired structural form. The deck perimeter is braced in plan and elevation to achieve stiffness, provide fixing points for the mesh facade to hang from, and form a secure edge. Secondary structural members brace and support the facade and achieve global stability for the structure as a whole.