Enhancing coastal architecture with natural timber West Wittering, Sussex

West Wittering Lifeguard Centre

by King and Drury Construction

The West Wittering Lifeguard Center marks a significant step forward in public safety and visitor experience at one of the UK’s most iconic beaches, recently winning in the Public and Community category at the 2025 Sussex Heritage Awards. Designed by Cover Storey Architects and delivered by King & Drury Construction, this purpose-built facility is a thoughtfully crafted structure that merges seamlessly with the natural landscape of the Sussex coastline, and deserved

We were delighted to supply the cedar and larch cladding for this prestigious project. Our high-quality timber plays a central role in the building's external appearance and environmental performance, helping it to blend beautifully into its surroundings while withstanding the rigours of a coastal environment.

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Natural Timber in a Natural Setting

At the heart of the architectural concept was a desire to create a building that felt both visible and timeless, present and purposeful, yet gentle on the eye. The natural cedar and larch cladding we provided was specifically chosen to achieve this dual goal.

Both timber species are sustainably sourced and grown in the UK, aligning with the project’s environmentally sensitive ethos. Over time, the cladding will weather gracefully to a silver-grey patina, further harmonising the structure with the dune grasses and sandy textures of the beach. The use of natural, untreated timber was key to delivering a low-maintenance and ecologically sound finish, avoiding the need for chemical treatments or imported timber.

Design and Material Synergy

The facility’s design is anchored by a sweeping gabion wall that acts as both a sea defence and a windbreak, cradling the building within its protective curve. Against this robust stone backdrop, the timber cladding adds a warm, tactile contrast and a human scale to the public-facing elevations.

The cladding was applied to the lower façades, which face onto a sheltered courtyard space that includes upgraded public amenities, including accessible toilets, changing areas, and lifeguard support rooms. These timber-clad surfaces offer durability against wind-blown sand and salt spray while contributing to a welcoming and natural aesthetic for visitors.

Performance Meets Aesthetic

Our homegrown cedar and larch were chosen not just for their appearance but also for their resilience. Naturally durable and well-suited for exposed locations, both species provide excellent performance in harsh coastal conditions. Their inherent resistance to rot, decay, and insect damage made them ideal for this project, where longevity and low environmental impact were crucial.

The King & Drury installation team ensured that the cladding was fitted with precision, allowing the grain and tone of the wood to speak for itself, resulting in a seamless integration of built form and natural material that responds elegantly to the changing light and seasons.

British

Larch

British Larch provides a good quality and cost-effective cladding. It is lively with knots and features and will naturally weather to an attractive silver/grey colour, more consistent than other species. This...

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British

Western Red Cedar

A more economical choice to its foreign cousin, British Western Red Cedar is faster growing and boasts a more consistent, pale-red colour with varied grain and character for a more natural look. It is less dense and contains...

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