The Wave is conceived as a strong character on the skyline and waterline of St Petersburg and Tampa Bay.
Its characteristic waves and curves lend themselves to an array of activities around and within them: a view point, a pavilion, a band shell, a boat pier, a market place, a banquet hall, an exhibition space, a beach, a boardwalk, a stage and an audience. But most importantly – Like water it rests on – the Wave pier is shaped by the life within and around it, and is flexible and open to change.
As life in the city evolves – so will the pier evolve with it. Its strong form and generous spaces can accommodate a multitude of programs – either one single destination or multiple individual activities or tenants. Its sculptural exterior creates a series of public spaces – the rooftop outlook on the break of the wave, the spectator stands in the curl of the wave, the covered stage under the arch of the loop and the beach as the pier dives into the water.
Within the thickness of the wave a cascade of programmable spaces form a single loop. As times change this spaces can be joined or parted to suit the needs and opportunities of the city and its citizens. The programmatic concept includes a museum, observation deck, playgrounds and green areas.
The loop-shaped structure mimics the physiology of the water wave: it goes underwater and rises in order to frame a swimming pool and holding areas for kayaks, canoes and small boats. The gesture further culminates by looping the promenade overhead, sheltering people and providing elevated views from the generated roof terrace.
The public spaces terminate with a platform which submerges into the bay creating an additional view towards the city. exhibition spaces, banquet halls and other public spaces. The proposal also offers different rooms including a salt bath, mist room, botanical room, steam room, cloud room, snow room, polar bear club, water slides and swimming pool.
Vision: “St. Pete has a really unique geography – the environment, history, and culture of a subtropical waterfront city,” says Tim Clemmons, principal with Mesh Architecture. “The pier is where we celebrate that reality, celebrate that existence as a really unique place on Tampa Bay.”
Space: “We don’t see any conventional retail in this building because we don’t want to compete with what’s already happening in the core of downtown,” Clemmons says. The 34,000 square feet of indoor space will likely include restaurants, special galleries and exhibitions, possibly even an indoor ice skating rink.
Materials used: The pier itself would consist of concrete columns supporting concrete slab and a wooded deck. The 120-foot diameter of the main wave structure would be a steel skeleton encased in two concrete shells.
Budget: The initial cost estimate is $49.9 million for the pier and wave structure. Phase 2, not included in that cost, could include improvement of a 20-acre park leading out to the pier.
Location: City Of St. Petersburg Florida, Usa
Partner in Charge: Bjarke Ingels, Thomas Christoffersen
Project Leader: Daniel Kidd
Project Team: Marcella Martinez, Andreia Teixeira, Suemin Jeon, Alessandro Ronfini, Chris Falla, Ho Kyung Lee, Jeremy Alain, Siegel, David Brown
Collaborators: Mesh, Martha Schwarz Partners, Atelier Ten, Thornton Thomasetti, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Hr&A, CC&A
Size: 39400 M2
Type: Competition
Client: City Of St. Petersburg Florida, Usa