WHITEHAVEN CASE STUDY: AI-GENERATED URBAN SCENARIOS
E THICAL IMPLICATIONS OF AI IN ARCHITECTURE
EXHIBITION GROUPWORK
EXHIBITION INTERACTIVE EXERCISE 1
EXHIBITION INTERACTIVE EXERCISE 2
EXHIBITION WORKFLOW AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION
FUTURE OUTLOOK: AI IN TRANSPORT AND SMART CITIES
DECODING AI TAKEAWAYS
SPATIAL SPECULATION
INTRODUCTION TO SPATIAL SPECULATION
PHASE 1 - FERRY TERMINAL
PHASE 2 - MARINA
PHASE 3 - DOCKS
PHASE 4 - STRAND STREET WATERFRONT
PHASE 5 - KING STREE T
FLEXIBLE AND SEASONAL USES OF SPACES
PUBLIC SPACES AND PLACEMAKING
SPATIAL SPECULATION TAKEAWAYS
INTERSCALAR SYSTEMS
INTR ODUCTION TO INTERSCALAR THINKING
WHITEHAVEN IN THE UK'S TRANSPORT NETWORK
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE TRANSPORT HUB
TOURISM IN CUMBRIA AND WHITEHAVEN'S ROLE
DAY-IN-THE-LIFE JOURNEY
WHITEHAVEN'S COASTAL REGENERATION
CLIMATE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN A COASTAL TOWN
URBAN DENSITY AND GROWTH PATTERNS
FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND MOBILITY STRATEGIES
INTERSC ALAR CONNECTIONS
INTERSC ALAR SYSTEMS TAKEAWAYS
MATERIALS MATTER
INTRODUCTION TO MATERIALS MATTER
MATERIAL PALETTE FOR WHITEHAVEN
MATERIAL PERFORMANCE IN COASTAL CONTEXTS
MATERIALS MATTER TAKEAWAYS
Site Selection
S.W.O.T. Analysis
Strengths
- Historical & Cultural Significance
- Scenic & Natural Assets (coastal landscape)
- Existing Transport Connections
- Existing Marina Infrastructure
- Potential for High Street & Business Revitalization
Weaknesses
- Relative Isolation & Lack of Large-Scale Tourism
- Transport Limitation
- Deindustrialization & Economic Struggles
- Underutilized Waterfront Spaces
- Weather & Coastal Erosion Risks
Opportunities
- Tourism Expansion & Regeneration Potential
- Ferry & Transport Hub Development
- High Street & Small Business Revitalization
- Waterfront & Public Space Redevelopment
- Sustainable & Eco-Tourism Initiatives
Threats
- Competition from other UK Coastal Towns
- Economic Uncertainty & Investment Risks
- Environmental & Climate Change Risks
- Local Resistance to Redevelopment
Whitehaven Harbour Site
Design Principles
Business - Tourism - Transport
Abstract and Concept
With opportunities for growth on the horizon, Whitehaven stands at a crossroads. The town and its surrounding landscape, caught between economic potential and the weight of its history, await transformation. Tourism surges toward West Cumbria and the Lake District, guided by alternative transport routes, acting as silent mediators weaving connections across the hills, the coastline, and beyond.
These efforts ripple outward, gradually reshaping Whitehaven. A town once defined the ebb and flow of tides could begin its metamorphosis into a regional hub, casting a long shadow across the coastal settlements of North-West England. The promise of prosperity beckons, but now without consequence. Can such progress honor the delicate balance between economic ambition and the soul of the town?
The transport connectivity secures and entwins the income of tourists and the growth of local businesses like roots beneath the surface, laying the groundwork for the Renaissance Harbour - a vision rising from the depths to breathe new life into Whitehaven’s shoreline. A proposal born from ambition, bound to leave its mark for generations to come. Will it shine as a beacon of renewal or as a reminder of what we’ve lost in the pursuit of what we seek to gain?
BUSINESS TOURISM
Whitehaven Harbour Masterplan Phasing
Revised proposal
Integration of Design Principles
The masterplan around Whitehaven Harbour will be structured into 5 key phases progressively approaching the opening to the Sea from the core of the town.
Phase 1 focuses on main catalyst in Whitehaven’s resurgence, one ferry terminal on each pier providing services to and from Isle of Man and other towns and cities across Western England, ensuring a constant influx of tourists and potential commuters travelling to work in the town’s nearby surroundings.
Phase 2 relies on transforming the South-Western side of Whitehaven Marina into a an active promenade, while integrating The Edge centre facilities with potential water activities during summer, thus connecting the two piers via the lock area, and inviting people to community engaging activities.
Phase 3 will focus on the area around the Queen’s Dock, consisting of accommodating administration offices of Whitehaven Harbour with a local museum with themes on wildlife of coastal Cumbria, creation of a park and ride area for encouraging travellers to use local public transport facilities for travelling to key tourist spots nearby (eg. Lake District National Park).
Phase 4 will address the area between Strand St and the Waterfront turning it into a business centre area accompanied by residential and green areas, as well as the restored and repurposed building of the former Victorian Turkish Baths, promoting local tourism and small enterprises in the town.
Phase 5 will involve a light architectural intervention on King Street. While the street will still be kept for pedestrians only, the building assemblies between King St and Strand St will be adapted to accommodate artisanal crafts shops, thus promoting cultural heritage and the local artists of Whitehaven, with the potential of hosting urban markets.
RETAINED / ADAPTED BUILDING
Overview of AI’s role in Architectural Speculation Introduction to Decoding AI
Introduction
Over the past decade, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly influential tool in architecture and urban design, offering new ways to analyze, visualize, and speculate on the future of our built environment. From generative design algorithms to AI-assisted urban modeling, these technologies are reshaping how architects and planners conceptualize and implement projects. This chapter explores how AI can be leveraged in urban regeneration, particularly in the case of Whitehaven, Cumbria, where AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney have played a role in speculative design processes. This chapter will focus on a study of Generative AI’s possible uses in architectural practice, with a section dedicated to a group exhibition work.
Why AI in Urban Regeneration
Cities and towns across the UK, especially coastal settlements like Whitehaven, face complex urban challenges, including economic decline, underutilized infrastructure, and climate vulnerability. Traditional urban planning relies on manual data analysis, historical precedent, and human-driven design logic. However, AI introduces a data-driven, predictive, and generative approach allowing for:
- Faster urban analysis (AI can process large datasets, such as pedestrian movement patterns, economic viability studies, and environmental impact assessments)
- Material selection and sustainability strategies (AI can evaluate material performance based on climate, longevity, and carbon footprint)
- Enhanced visualization (AI-generated imagery can communicate speculative futures to stakeholders and the public)
Role of AI in Spatial Speculation
How AI tools can predict, analyze and optimize Urban Form
Testing on Whitehaven based on prompts
As Whitehaven undergoes regeneration, AI-driven spatial speculation could offer a powerful tool to explore multiple urban design scenarios, optimize pedestrian flows, and enhance waterfront adaptability. Through AI-generated zoning, Whitehaven’s historic town centre, waterfront, and transport hub could be analyzed, tested, and optimized to ensure a balance between business growth, tourism resurgence, and transport efficiency. AI-based urban planning tools can generate varied urban morphologies for Whitehaven, modeling density variations, land-use efficiency, and climate resilience. Key applications include:
- Pedestrian & Transport Flow Optimization - AI can simulate pedestrian behavior between King Street, Strand Street, and the new ferry terminal, ensuring smooth accessibility
- Density and Land-Use Distribution - Algorithmic zoning helps define where high-traffic retail, small-scale artisanal markets, and community spaces should be placed
- Waterfront Resilience & Adaptability - AI can predict coastal flooding impacts and inform the design of flexible promenades, tidal-adaptive seating, and climate-proof structures
- AI-Generated Public Space Iterations - Algorithmic modeling can suggest different spatial layouts, responding to seasonal tourism and daily foot traffic fluctuations
Parametric Zoning Layout - Regenerated Urban Core
AI-Optimized Whitehaven Waterfront Development
Prompt: Aerial view of Whitehaven, Cumbria, redesigned using AI-driven urban regeneration principles. The historic King Street and Strand Street are reimagined with a mix of preserved Georgian and Victorian buildings, modern modular structures, and pedestrian-priority zones. The layout features optimized land-use zoning, enhanced walkability, and dynamic street networks connecting the town center to the waterfront. Integrated public spaces, green rooftops, adaptive retail districts, and a revived harbor economy create a seamless urban fabric. The design blends heritage conservation with parametric urbanism, isometric cityscape, ultra-realistic, professional architectural render, high detail, 8K resolution.
Prompt: A futuristic yet context-sensitive waterfront regeneration of Whitehaven Harbour, designed using AI-driven spatial optimization. The Strand Street waterfront promenade extends into the marina, with adaptable public spaces shaped by pedestrian movement and tidal patterns. Floating green terraces, modern ferry terminals, smart transport nodes, and biophilic architecture integrate with the existing maritime heritage. The new developments, including a coastal activities center and food market, emphasize sustainable timber facades, local stone materials, and panoramic public viewpoints over the Irish Sea. The harbor remains a working port, complemented by new cultural and leisure spaces. Hyper-detailed urban planning render, immersive cityscape, parametric waterfront, 16K resolution.
Generative AI for Material Studies
AI-driven Selection of Materials based on Durability, Cost, and Aesthetics
Relevance of AI with Materiality
Materiality plays a crucial role in the regeneration of Whitehaven, balancing historic conservation, sustainability, and resilience against a harsh coastal climate. AI-driven material studies offer an innovative approach to selecting, testing, and optimizing materials based on durability, embodied carbon footprint, cost-efficiency, and contextual aesthetics.
For Whitehaven, AI-assisted material analysis can refine:
- Historic Building Preservation - AI can assess existing sandstone, brick, and timber structures, suggesting optimal conservation methods while predicting long-term weathering effects
- Sustainable Material Selection - AI-powered databases analyze lowcarbon materials such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), recycled aggregates, and marine-grade coatings, ensuring they meet environmental and structural requirements
- Coastal Weather Resistance - AI-driven simulations model saltwater erosion, wind loads, and humidity impacts on different materials, guiding the selection of weatherproof facades, anti-corrosion treatments, and resilient street furniture
- Circular Economy & Reuse - AI algorithms suggest material recovery strategies from demolished buildings, docks, and industrial sites, integrating reclaimed stone, upcycled metals, and repurposed timber into the masterplan
- Energy Efficiency & Comfort - AI can optimize material layering to enhance insulation, passive cooling, and natural light reflection, reducing energy demands in new and refurbished structures
Prompt: A high-resolution architectural material board showcasing AI-optimized material selections for the regeneration of Whitehaven, Cumbria. The palette features three distinct sections: (1) Historic Conservation Materials – locally sourced sandstone, reclaimed brick, weathered timber, and traditional slate, carefully preserved to maintain the town’s Georgian and Victorian architectural character. (2) Sustainable & Low-Carbon Materials – cross-laminated timber (CLT), recycled stone aggregates, algae-based concrete, bio-composite panels, and green roof systems for enhanced energy efficiency. (3) Marine-Resistant & Adaptive Materials – weatherproof corten steel, self-healing concrete for coastal infrastructure, anti-corrosion treated metal, and permeable paving designed to withstand saltwater exposure and heavy rain. Each material sample is labeled with textures, color variations, and use cases, arranged in a professional architectural composition. Ultra-detailed, photorealistic textures, high-resolution macro photography, professional architectural visualization, neutral studio lighting, 8K resolution.
Whitehaven Case Study
AI-Generated Urban Scenarios - Simulating a Natural Disaster Event with ChatGPT and Midjourney
Prompt for the following image Generated by ChatGPT in a chat-box:
EXPERIMENT 1
‘Create a detailed and realistic depiction of severe flooding in the coastal town of Whitehaven, Cumbria, UK. The scene features a row of historic stone and brick buildings lining a waterfront street, showcasing their distinct architectural character with narrow facades, slate roofs, and weathered textures. The street is submerged under a powerful surge of muddy floodwaters, with waves crashing against the structures. Debris and turbulent water movement emphasize the force of the flood. The sky is overcast with a gray, stormy atmosphere, hinting at the cause of the extreme weather. Distant rolling hills and a dramatic coastline are visible in the background, adding to the sense of realism. Capture the chaos and natural power of the scene while highlighting the vulnerability of this historic town.’’
Ai Prompts for image generation based on the topic of Climate Event: Using Midjourney to generate an image based on a prompt, then asking ChatGPT to modify Context prompts to be used back in Midjourney to evaluate the differences in results.
Softwares used ChatGPT and Midjourney
Initial prompt for Midjourney bot:
’Create an image of the coastal town of Whitehaven in Cumbria, UK, depicting the aftermath of sea level rises and flood defences failing.’
Generated image (that will serve as origin image):
Prompt for the above image generated by ChatGPT in a chat box:
Prompt 1
Prompt 2
‘Okay, now do the same thing except summarise the prompt in two short sentences but retaining as much of the detail as you can.’
‘Severe flooding engulfs the coastal town of Whitehaven, Cumbria, UK, with powerful waves crashing against a row of historic stone and brick buildings. The overcast sky and distant rolling hills emphasize the stormy atmosphere and the town’s vulnerability to nature’s force.’
Prompt 4
‘Once again please, now in four sentences.’
‘The coastal town of Whitehaven, Cumbria, UK, is engulfed by severe flooding, with powerful, muddy waves surging onto a waterfront street lined by historic stone and brick buildings. The narrow facades, weathered textures, and slate roofs of the structures highlight the town’s charm, now overshadowed by the chaos of the storm. Debris floats in the turbulent waters, which batter the buildingds and inundate the street, showcasing the relentless power of nature. Above, the sky looms gray and overcast, while distant rolling hills and the rugged coastline form a dramatic and haunting backdrop to the unfolding disaster.’
Prompt 5
"Create a detailed and realistic depiction of severe flooding in the coastal town of Whitehaven, Cumbria, UK. The scene features a row of historic stone and brick buildings lining a waterfront street, showcasing their distinct architectural character with narrow facades, slate roofs, and weathered textures. The street is submerged under a powerful surge of muddy floodwaters, with waves crashing against the structures. Debris and turbulent water movement emphasize the force of the flood. The sky is overcast with a gray, stormy atmosphere, hinting at the cause of the extreme weather. Distant rolling hills and a dramatic coastline are visible in the background, adding to the sense of realism. Capture the chaos and natural power of the scene while highlighting the vulnerability of this historic town."
‘Summarise this prompt in a single sentence please, be sure to include the location and some details of the setting and what is happening.’
‘Depict severe flooding in Whitehaven, Cumbria, UK, where stormy waves submerge a waterfront street lined with historic stone and brick buildings, set against a dramatic overcast coastal backdrop.‘
Prompt 3
‘Finally, as much detail as you can possibly fit in but in five sentences, try and capture the drama of what is going on.’
‘Okay, now add more detail in three sentences.’
‘Whitehaven, Cumbria, UK, is overwhelmed by severe flooding as powerful, muddy waves crash onto a waterfront street lined with historic stone and brick buildings, their weathered facades and slate roofs showing the town’s character. The turbulent water surges through the street, carrying debris and battering the structures, emphasizing the force of the storm. Overhead, the sky is heavy and overcast, while distant rolling hills and the dramatic coastline add to the scene’s stark and chaotic atmosphere.‘
‘The coastal town of Whitehaven, Cumbria, UK, is caught in the grip of a devastating flood as roaring, muddy waves surge onto the waterfront, completely submerging the narrow street in a churning torrent of water. The historic stone and brick buildings, with their weathered facades, slate roods, and quaint charm, stand defiant but vulnerable as the relentless waves crash against their walls, sending spray and debris flying through the air. The powerful floodwaters, thick with silt and debris, sweep through the street with unrelenting force, battering doorways and windows, while the rising tide threatens to engulf the lower levels of the structures. Overhead, the sky is a foreboding gray, heavy with storm clouds that seem to press down on the scene, adding to the ominous atmosphere, while distant rolling hills and the rugged coastline are barely visible through the haze and mist, The dramatic juxtaposition of Whitehaven’s picturesque charm agains the chaos of the flood creates a haunting image of nature’s overwhelming power and the fragility of human settlements in the face of such destruction.’
Whitehaven Case Study
AI-Generated Urban Scenarios - Simulating a Natural Disaster Event with ChatGPT and Midjourney
Impact of Increased Details of Prompts
It is noticeable that for all 5 prompts, Midjourney produced images of similar levels of detail, featuring an alley or waterfront subjected to flooding, while the building being suggestive for the architecture of coastal Cumbria. However, the progressive addition of details in the prompt did not produce significantly different results.
Perhaps a short descriptive prompt generated by ChatGPT is just as effective as a much more detailed prompt.
Exhibition Interactive Exercise 1
AI - A Game of Cards
Create your own prompt using the starter prompt above
Step 1
Select a card from the ‘A’ deck. Insert the given word into the ‘A’ slot in the starter prompt sentence. Use Midjourney AI to create an image.
Step 2
Select a card from the ‘B’ deck and insert the given words into the ‘B’ slot in the starter prompt sentence, replacing the previous sentence. Use Midjourney AI to create a second image.
Step 3
Select a card from the ‘C’ deck and insert the given words into the ‘C’ slot in the prompt, replacing the previous prompt sentence. Use Midjourney AI to create a third image.
Step 4
Select a card from the ‘D’ deck and insert the given words into the ‘D’ slot in the starter prompt, replacing the previous sentence. Use Midjourney to create a response to your final prompt.
‘Create me a - A - scene in the coastal town of Whitehaven located in Cumbria, where - B - has led to - C - from the point of view of someone standing at - D.‘
Introduction
In the weeks leading up to the exhibition, we conducted our own test of the Streetscape concept, using images generated through a card game we developed. The game leveraged AI-generated images based on prompts containing interchangeable words. By assigning specific words to these interchangeable components, we were able to create unique prompts, resulting in a distinct image with each interation of the game. This process allowed us to explore the dynamic possibilities of AI-generated content and its potential for creative expression.
How might AI be used in developing the future of Whitehaven and what might this look like
AI has the potential to play a transformative role in shaping the future of Whitehaven by enhancing architectural design and placemaking in ways that honor its heritage while driving innovation.
Using generative design, AI can analyze data specific to Whitehaven - such as its unique geography, historical architecture, and community needs - to propose optimized solutions for urban layouts, public spaces, and sustainable infrastructure.
It can simulate scenarios like pedestrian flow, traffic patterns, or environmental impact, helping to create spaces that are both functional and vibrant. By integrating AI into the design process, Whitehaven can evolve as a town that balances its rich history with forward-thinking, adaptive, and community-centred development.
Exhibition Interactive Exercise 1
Developing the Prompt Sentence with Inter-Changeable Words
Prompt Word A (setting up the mood of the image)
In order to set up a proper atmosphere for the generated images, the 10 interchangeable words were inspired by movie themes, providing 5 positive moods and 5 negative moods affecting the overall impression of the image:
- Dramatic
- Fantasy Fairytale
- Sinister
- Thrilling
- Romantic
- Peaceful / Serene
- Sci-Fi / Futuristic
- D ystopian
- Abstract Modernist
- Historic
Prompt Word B (setting up the agent - the cause)
The 10 options were established in such a way as to have 5 positive catalyst agents and 5 negatives, while balancing a degree of randomness in order to challenge the capacity of the generative AI software of processing unpredictable parameters:
- A failed flood barrier
- Homelessness
- Automation in the coal industry
- Reindustrialisation of the textile industry
- Nuclear fallout from a damaged nuclear reactor
- A drought and intense sun
- A disastrous wildfire
- Formula 1 cars racing around a track
- A modern university building
- A large music festival with a stage
Create me a ‘ A ’ scene in the coastal town
of
Whitehaven located in Cumbria, where ‘ B ’ has led to ‘ C ’ from the point of view of someone standing at ‘ D ’.
The 10 options were established in such a way as to have 5 positive and 5 negative effects or outcomes. Some of these options are meant to be compatible with certain ‘Prompt Words B’, resulting in more realistic images, whereas some maintain the unpredictable feature:
- Buildings left in ruins
- A celebration
- The discovery of ancient ruins
- A major weather event
- A population increase
- Reforestation / flora to dominate the landscape
- An increase in local wildlife and green space
- The destruction of local heritage sites
- An increase in harbour trade / A thriving port market
- The ban of cars
Create me a ‘dramatic’ scene in the coastal town of Whitehaven located in Cumbria, where ‘crowds of people gathering’ have led to ‘ the construction of a new nuclear power plant ’ from the point of view of someone standing on ‘ the harbour ’ .
Word D (setting up point of perspective)
In order to provide multiple perspectives from which the whole scene is perceived, several locations across Whitehaven constitute the 10 interchangeable words for this prompt word:
- The harbour
- The town hall
- The park
- The pub
- The train station
- The hill overlooking the town
- The town centre
- The local cafe
- The boat
- The high street
Prompt Base
Starter Base
Prompt Word C (setting up the effect)
Prompt
Exhibition Interactive Exercise 1
Generative AI Samples
Decoding AI Conclusions
Key Takeaways
From Digital Intelligence to Spatial Transformation
The regeneration of Whitehaven is not just a question of preserving history or improving transport connectivity - it is about reimagining the spatial experience of the town in a way that is adaptive, inclusive, and futureproof. This chapter has shown the capabilities of AI in offering insights and visualization into urban flow, materiality, climate adaptation, and smart infrastructure. However, digital intelligence alone does not define the built environment, as architecture is the medium through which these insights become tangible.
DecodingAI
The next stage of exploration - Spatial Speculation - shifts the focus from AI-driven study and predictions to the physical articulation of space Each phase shall be explored in a way as to portray the following:
- Key Design Principles laying the foundations for the spatial proposition
- Spatial Proposition Schematics displaying the proposed geometry and functionality of spaces, based on the design principles, through mixed forms of media
- AI-Generated Conceptual Visualisations taking the experimentation with generative AI to a more project-focused approach, based on the spatial speculation
Introduction to Spatial Speculation
How Design Principles Translate into Built Form
Introduction
Spatial speculation is the bridge between conceptual design thinking and physical architectural intervention. It allows us to test how urban strategies can shape Whitehaven’s built environment while aligning with the three main principles of this project:
- Design Principle 1 - High Street Regeneration & Business Inclusivity (Economic Revitalization)
This chapter explores how these principles manifest in urban space, pedestrian experiences, and architectural form, analyzing each intervention within Whitehaven’s masterplan.
Why does Spatial Speculation Matter to Whitehaven
Whitehaven is a town with deep historical roots but an uncertain economic future. While the decline of maritime industries and economic isolation has limited its growth, speculative spatial interventions offer a means to reimagine the town’s identity through business, tourism, and mobility. By engaging with adaptive reuse, new public spaces, and multi-modal transport infrastructure, this regeneration project aims to position Whitehaven as a key hub in Cumbria’s regional economy.
DESIGN PRINCIPLE 1 AND 2
DESIGN PRINCIPLE 1 AND 3
DESIGN PRINCIPLE 2 AND 3
SITE OUTLINE PHASE
Phase 1 - Ferry Terminal
Transport Connectivity, Accessibility & Multimodal Transport Integration
Whitehaven Masterplan_A3_1:3000
A Strategic Gateway for Whitehaven
Whitehaven Harbour’s ferry terminal development is the town’s most significant transport intervention, designed to enhance regional accessibility and establish Whitehaven as a multimodal transport hub. The terminal introduces two key ferry routes:
- Isle of Man Ferry Terminal - Connecting Whitehaven to Douglas, supporting tourism and business exchanges
- Coastal Ferry Terminal - A Hub for the proposed Cumbrian Coast Liner and Celtic Liner, offering connections along Cumbria’s coastline and across the Irish Sea
Multimodal Transport Integration
The ferry terminal is strategically linked to various transport networks to provide seamless mobility:
- Rail Connectivity - Direct access to the Whitehaven Train Station, allowing easy transfers for passengers arriving from major UK cities
- Bus Network Expansion - Integration with local bus services, creating a Whitehaven Transport Interchange that ensures smooth connections between ferry, rail, and road travel
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure - Charging stations and reserved parking spaces support eco-friendly transport for visitors and locals
ADJUSTED PIER SEGMENT
TERMINAL BUILDING CARS EMBARKMENT ZONE, PARKING & BUS INTERCHANGE
PHASE OUTLINE
TRAVELLER ROUTE
Digimap
The Edge
Waterfront Pavilion
Bus Hub
Phase 1 - Ferry Terminal
Proposed Spaces and Intervention
Spaces Distribution
Terminal Building - Estimated Surface Area of 2,500-3,500 m2
- Ticketing & Check-in (200-300 m2)
- Waiting Areas with seating and small retail (500-800 m2)
- Cafe/Bar & Retail (200-400 m2)
- Baggage Handling (200-300 m2)
- Offices for Operators & Staff Facilities (300-500 m2)
- Public Toilets & Baby Changing Facilities (150-250 m2)
- Mechanical & Utility Rooms (200-300 m2)
Docking & Infrastructure
- Roll-on/Roll-off Ramp for vehicles and passengers
- Pontoon or Fixed Jetty with gangways for foot passengers
- Navigation Aids & Lighting
- Vehicle Waiting Lanes (800-1,200 m2) for embarkment
- Cycle Storage & Pedestrian Walkways
Transport & Parking
- Drop-off & Pickup Zones for taxis, buses, and private cars
- Short & Long-Stay Parking (approx. 3,000-5,000 m2)
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
- Bike Parking & Shared Mobility Hub
Integration with Whitehaven’s Urban Fabric
- Seafront Accessibility (connection with the town’s High Street & Marina)
- Heritage-Sensitive Design (use of local materials for contextual aesthetics)
- Public Realm Enhancements (Plaza, Seating Areas, Landscaping)
Whitehaven Masterplan_A3_1:3000
Phase 1 - Ferry Terminal
Testing Conceptual Visualisation using AI Prompts
Midjourney Prompt
‘Hand-drawn architectural sketch of a modern ferry terminal in Whitehaven, UK, with a two-level structure. The design features large glass facades, exposed timber beams, and a maritime aesthetic blending with the historic waterfront. The ground floor showcases ticketing counters, baggage handling areas, and a security checkpoint, with passengers queuing for boarding. The first floor includes a spacious waiting lounge with panoramic windows overlooking the harbor, a café with outdoor seating, and an observation deck. Pedestrian walkways connect to a roll-on/roll-off ferry ramp, with vehicles waiting in designated lanes. The scene captures natural light filtering through the terminal, with subtle shading and precise line work, evoking a contemporary yet timeless architectural style. The perspective highlights circulation flow, accessibility features like elevators and escalators, and detailed material textures of glass, steel, and local sandstone.’
Phase 2 - Marina
Promenade & Activity Hub
Integration of the Edge
The Whitehaven Marina promenade is envisioned as an active, multifunctional waterfront space that enhances both recreational and economic activities. Extending from the town’s urban realm towards the marina, the promenade will integrate pedestrian pathways, cultural spaces, and commercial hubs, fostering a vibrant waterfront economy.
At the core of this transformation is The Edge Coastal Activities Centre, an already existing ‘intervention’ that will serve as an anchor point for leisure, tourism, and community engagement. This facility will not only provide essential visitor services but also promote ecological awareness and maritime activities.
Design Strategies for the Promenade & the Edge Hub
Enhanced Accessibility & Connectivity
- Continous pedestrian and cycling paths, linking the marina with the High Street and ferry terminal
- Universal access design: step-free pathways, tactile paving, and seating nodes to encourage inclusivity
Ecological & Resilient Landscape Design
- Permeable paving and green infrastructure for rainwater management
- Coastal biodiversity zones with salt-resistant planting to protect against erosion and flooding
Integration of Public & Private Spaces
- Mixed-use areas with cafe terraces, to activate the waterfront in addition to the Edge Centre and the Beacon Museum
- Flexible open spaces that accommodate seasonal activities, from summer festivals to winter markets
The Edge
The Beacon Museum
Proposed Intervention Phase 2 - Marina
Promenade Enlargement
In order to maximise the integration of The Edge Coastal Activity Centre into the wider Whitehaven Harbour scheme, the portion between the Old New Quay pier and the pier dividing the inner and the outer harbour areas shall be widened towards the sea providing an extension of West Strand street around The Edge. This promenade seeks to provide a point of attraction that would attract people from the town centre, and from the ferry terminal. Thus, the concept shall propose elevated walkways, accompanied by tiered seating facing the marina, with wooden boardwalks to avoid potential falls.
Land Reclamation and Water Activities Zone
The promenade in front of the Edge will be expanded towards the outer harbour through land reclamation, in order to facilitate a large deck that can serve as observation area towards the ferry terminal, or host temporary mobile retail facilities that can be assembled and disassemble according to weather conditions. In addition, through land reclamation and further dredging in the outer harbour – that would allow a more constant rised water level – will allow The Edge to take its coastal activities in the sea/harbour more easily during summer months.
Digimap
Adapted Existing Promenade
Reclaimed Land - The Edge Deck Pop-Up Retail Pop-Up Retail
Phase 2 - Marina
Testing Conceptual Visualisations using AI Prompts
Midjourney Prompts
‘Hand-drawn architectural sketch of an upgraded waterfront promenade at Whitehaven, UK, focusing on the integration of the Beacon Museum and The Edge Coastal Activities Centre. The concept includes elevated walkways, tiered seating facing the marina, wooden boardwalks, and shaded seating areas, all designed in a contemporary maritime aesthetic. The drawing is presented in black-and-white ink with subtle shading and hatching techniques, evoking an early-stage architectural vision.’
‘Detailed hand-drawn section sketch of a sustainable waterfront promenade intervention at Whitehaven Marina, UK. The drawing focuses on eco-friendly materials, rainwater management solutions, green roofs on low-rise kiosks, and dune-inspired coastal landscaping to prevent erosion. The perspective includes human-scale elements such as benches, wayfinding signage, and shaded areas with timber pergolas. The sketch is black ink with warm-toned marker overlays, showing a refined yet conceptual approach.’
Phase 3 - Docks
Spatial Strategy - Key Nodes, Circulation, User Experiences
Whitehaven Masterplan_A3_1:3000
Reimagining
the Docks
The redevelopment of Whitehaven Dock is designed to transform this historic maritime space into a multifunctional waterfront district that balances public interaction, economic activity, and transport connectivity. The intervention focuses on key nodes, circulation improvements, and an enhanced user experience for both locals and visitors.
The dock shall be redeveloped around three primary nodes, each playing a strategic role in defining movement, accessibility, and functionality:
Maritime & Nautical Equipment Hub
- Focuses on boat maintenance, assembly yards, and nautical supply stores
- Supports the local fishing and water sports industries, reinforcing Whitehaven's maritime economy
Cumbrian Coast Museum & Cultural Hub
- A new interactive museum space highlighting Whitehaven's maritime heritage, shipbuilding history, and coastal conservation initiatives
- Integrates public education spaces, temporary exhibitions, and interactive experiences
Promenade & Transport Corridor
- A circulation zone for pedestrians accessing the Isle of Man ferry terminal
- Provides seating areas, green buffers, and shaded rest stops to enhance user comfort.
MARITIME & NAUTICAL EQUIPMENT HUB
PEDESTRIAN BASCULE BRIDGE PHASE OUTLINE
Digimap
CUMBRIAN COAST MUSEUM & CULTURAL HUB
To Lake District
To Whitehaven Town Centre
Cumbrian Coast Museum
Maritime & Nautical Equipment Hub
Bascule Bridge
Spaces Distribution
Cumbrian Coast Museum & Cultural Hub
- Ground Floor (estimated surface area of 2,625 m2)
- Main Entrance & Lobby
- Harbour Administration Office
- Cafe & Lounge
- Pedestrian Passage to the Ferry Terminal
- First Floor (estimated surface area of 2,625 m2)
- Exhibition Halls
- Observation Deck
Maritime & Nautical Equipment Hub
- Retail & Supply Stores
- Boat Repair Workshops
- Dockside Operations Area
Dockside Operations Area
Phase 3 - Docks
Testing Conceptual Visualisation using AI Prompts
Midjourney
Prompts
‘An architectural concept rendering of the new Cumbrian Coast Maritime Museum in Whitehaven, UK, integrating the existing pitched-roof harbor administration office into a modern waterfront cultural hub. The design features a contemporary extension with corten steel and timber cladding, large glass façades offering panoramic views of the marina, and an elevated observation deck. The museum entrance is an open, inviting space with a pedestrian passageway leading towards the ferry terminal via a bascule bridge. The public realm is enhanced with maritime-inspired urban furniture, a waterfront café, and outdoor exhibition spaces featuring historical ship artifacts. The scene is set against a vibrant coastal background with docked yachts, reflecting a balance between heritage conservation and modern regeneration. The rendering is in a hand-drawn architectural sketch style with light watercolor washes and fine ink hatching, emphasizing the contrast between old and new architecture.’
‘An architectural concept sketch of the proposed Cumbrian Coast Maritime Museum in Whitehaven, UK, integrating the existing pitched-roof harbor administration office into a modern cultural and transit hub. The sketch is in a hand-drawn, ink and watercolor architectural style, featuring fine line hatching and soft shading to emphasize depth and materials. The concept includes a contemporary extension with corten steel and timber cladding, large glass panels overlooking the marina, and an elevated observation deck. A pedestrian corridor seamlessly cuts through the museum, leading to the ferry terminal via a bascule bridge. The surrounding public space is activated with a waterfront café, maritime-themed street furniture, and open exhibition zones displaying historic ship artifacts. The scene captures people walking through the passageway, engaging with exhibits, and enjoying the marina views, reinforcing the balance between historic preservation and modern regeneration.’
Bridging the Gap between Whitehaven's Core and its Waterfront
The Strand Street Waterfront redevelopment aims to reconnect Whitehaven's urban core with its maritime edge, revitalizing the historical yet underutilized spaces between the high street and the harbour. This phase integrates pedestrian-friendly public spaces, adaptive reuse of historic buildings, and a new pavilion, ensuring that the waterfront becomes an active, welcoming space for residents, tourists, and businesses.
Key Challenges and Opportunities
Overcoming Physical Barriers
- The town's historic urban fabric has long been separated from its waterfront due to past industrial use and infrastructural gaps
- Creating direct, accessible pedestrian routes will enhance movement between the high street and marina
Strengthening Visual and Functional Connectivity
- Strategic placement of public plazas, sightlines, and low-rise developments will encourage natural interaction between the urban core and harbour
- Integration of urban seating, wayfinding elements, and maritimethemed public spaces will reinforce Whitehaven's identity
Activating the Public Realm
- Mixed-use spaces will combine commercial, cultural, and recreational activities, ensuring the waterfront remains vibrant throughout the day
- A reclaimed pedestrianized street and promenade will encourage foot traffic from town to waterfront
To Lake District
To Ferry Terminal
To Whitehaven Town Centre
To Marina & The Edge
Bus Stop
Bus Stop
Bus Stop
Adaptive Reuse of Victorian Buildings and Pavilion
The Strand Street Waterfront redevelopment carefully balances historic preservation with contemporary architectural innovation. While the adaptive reuse of Victorian buildings ensures the continuit of Whitehaven's architectural heritage, the introductin of a parametric timber pavilion - inspired by Shigeru Ban's curved timber structuresoffers a bold, yet contextually sensitive intervention.
This pavilion, positioned on the site of the now-demolished Victorian Turkish Baths, serves as both a cultural landmark and a public event space, responding to the evolving needs of the waterfront while maintaining a dialogue with its historical surroundings.
Design Concept: A Maritime Canopy
The parametric pavilion embodies the fluidity and organic nature of maritime architecture, echoing the rhythms of ocean waves, ship hulls, and traditional wooden boat construction
Materiality and Structural Approach
- Inspired by Shigeru Ban's curved timber gridshells, the pavilion would be constructed using glass panels between timber ribs, reinforcing visual transparency and open views of the harbour, and prefabricated modular elements, allowing for ease of assembly, cost efficiency, and minimal site disruption
Day and Night Experience
- By day, sunlight filters through the timber lattice, casting dynamic shadow patterns on the ground
- At night, the pavilion becomes an illuminated landmark, guiding visitors towards the waterfront promenade and enhancing the night time identity of Whitehaven
Why Replace a Victorian Landmark with a Contemporary Piece?
The decision to introduce a radically different architectural landmark in place of the Turkish Baths is driven by three key considerations:
Historical Layers and Continuity through Contrast
- Rather than attempting a literal reconstruction, a new pavilion pays homage to the idea of communal interaction, serving as a new gathering point at the waterfront
- The contrast between preserved Victorian buildings and the ultramodern timber pavilion highlights Whitehaven's layered architectural history, from industrial heritage to contemporary innovation
Transparency and Visual Connectivity
- Unlike the enclosed character of the Victorian buildings, the pavilion is defined by transparency
- The removal of physical barriers (through potential glazing) allow pedestrians to see through the structure and intuitively navigate from the waterfront to the Strand Street and even further towards the High Street (King Street)
Spatial and Functional Flexibility
- While the former Victorian Baths were programmatically rigid, serving a single function, the pavilion is conceived as a multi-functional space, adaptable for exhibitions and workshops
Digimap Phase 4 - Strand Street Waterfront
Phase 4 - Strand Street Waterfront
Testing Conceptual Visualisation using AI Prompts
Midjourney Prompts
‘An architectural sketch of a parametric timber pavilion at Whitehaven’s waterfront, UK, inspired by Shigeru Ban’s curved timber gridshells. The pavilion stands on the site of the former Victorian Turkish Baths, featuring an organic lattice structure made of laminated timber, with integrated glass panels to enhance transparency. The open-air space is designed for public gatherings, markets, and exhibitions, seamlessly connecting the high street on King Street to the harbor. The perspective captures people walking through the pavilion, sunlight filtering through the wooden framework, casting intricate shadows on the ground. The waterfront is active, with pedestrians, boats, and maritime activity in the background. The style is a hand-drawn architectural sketch with fine ink hatching and subtle watercolor washes, evoking a conceptual urban design study.’
‘An interior perspective of Whitehaven’s waterfront pavilion, capturing the immersive experience of its parametric timber structure. The curved wooden lattice rises above an open public space, where visitors interact with exhibition panels, pop-up cultural displays, and seating areas that blend seamlessly into the architecture. Glass panels between the timber framework allow uninterrupted views towards the harbor, reinforcing the concept of transparency and connection between the urban and maritime environments. The perspective is illustrated in an architectural hand-drawn sketch style with expressive linework and watercolor shading, emphasizing material textures and spatial depth.’
Understanding Pedestrian Flow and Movement Patterns
Extending Connectivity
- Strengthens north-south pedestrian links between King Street and Strand Street, ensuring visitors naturally flow towards the waterfront.
Creating Permeable Urban Spaces
- Encourages movement through wider sidewalks, alleyway activations, and shared spaces for both market stalls and informal seating
Designing for Different User Groups
- Ensures a balance between daily shoppers and commuters (needing fast, clear movement paths), and tourists and visitors (engaging with market stalls, outdoor cafes, and heritage attractions)
Urban Market as a Catalyst for Retail Engagement
Blending Fixed and Pop-Up Retail
- A curated mix of permanent storefronts and temporary market stalls maintains commercial dynamism
Zoning for Different Retail Experiences
- Ground-level retail activation through existing Victorian buildings repurposed for boutique shops, cafes, and artisanal goods
- Central Market Spine manifested through pedestrianized corea area allocated to seasonal markets, craft fairs, and independent vendors
- Food and dining zones filled with market stalls near seating areas, encouraging outdoor cafe culture and social dining experiences
Concept Zoning Strategy
Zone 1 - Permanent Retail Frontage (High-Street Activation)
- Retains and enhances existing commercial buildings, ensuring that fixed retail unites anchor the high street's commercial activity
- Facade improvements and shopfront redesigns maintain Victorian heritage while ensuring modern functionality
- These spaces cater to small businesses, independent retailers, supporting long-term economic sustainability
Zone 2 - The Market Hubs (Flexible Retail & Seasonal Events)
- Pedestrianized area connecting King Street and Strand Street, and hosting Urban Market fairs every weekend
- Open-air market stalls for flexible, temporary retail
- Designed for adaptability into artisan craft fairs or food festivals
Urban Form and High-Street Adaptability
Urban Form Enhancements
-Ground floor retail dominance ensuring active frontages with large windows, human-scaled signage, and retail-friendly architecture
- Street level permeability with passageways and side streets linking King Street directly to the Strand Street and further with the pavilion and the waterfront, breaking historic barriers between the town and marina
Public Space as a Commercial Catalyst
- The pavilion's open design enhances spatial flow, encouraging natural movement towards the market and further inland
Movement Framework: Enhancing Accessibility
Traveler and Commuter Movement
- Pedestrianized High Street - fully walkable core ensures retail engagement
- Bus route integration - Maintaining access at key intersections for visitors and daily commuters
- Traveler routes - defined movement corridors directing foot traffic between King Street, the waterfront, and transport hubs
Seamless High-Street and Waterfront Transition
- The market and pavilion areas function as a gateway, reducing fragmentation between the town and harbour
- Wayfinding and visual connectivity guide visitors intuitively from the high street to the Strand Street and the waterfront promenade
Phase 5 - King Street
Testing Conceptual Visualisation using AI Prompts
Midjourney Prompts
'A hand-drawn architectural sketch of a revitalized King Street in Whitehaven, UK, transformed into a pedestrian-focused urban market. The scene captures a lively high street with historic Victorian façades, repurposed retail units, and outdoor market stalls lining the walkway. The cobbled pedestrianized street is animated with people engaging in small business shopping, cafés with outdoor seating spilling onto the pavement, and decorative street lighting. The atmosphere is lively yet human-scaled, emphasizing urban revitalization. The sketch style is detailed ink drawing with fine hatching and soft watercolor washes, maintaining an authentic yet conceptual feel.’
‘A conceptual urban sketch of King Street in Whitehaven, UK, viewed from eye level, showcasing its transformation into a bustling pedestrian-friendly marketplace. The illustration highlights improved shopfronts, redesigned window displays, and a mix of permanent retail and flexible pop-up kiosks along the street. The human-scale perspective includes locals and tourists exploring artisanal craft stalls, flower markets, and street food vendors. Hanging lights and greenery enhance the public realm, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The drawing style is loose architectural ink sketching with dynamic perspective lines and subtle watercolor tones to enhance texture and depth.’
Flexible and Seasonal Uses of Spaces
Adapting Designs for Different Needs
Phase 1 - Multifunctionallity of the Ferry Terminal Building
The design of the northwestern wing of the ferry terminal in Phase 1 reflects a deliberate response to the economic and operational realities of seasonal ferry services. While the terminal plays a vital role in connecting Whitehaven with the Isle of Man, it is unlikely to sustain daily operations year-round. This makes architectural adaptability essential.
The northwestern section is conceived as a multipurpose volume: a ferry café and waiting lounge during active service seasons, and a cultural and exhibition space during downtime. Generous glazing provides panoramic harbour views, while internal partitions can be reconfigured to host art exhibitions, maritime heritage showcases, community events, or educational workshops
This flexibility transforms what could be a dormant seasonal space into a vibrant civic asset, extending its relevance and use beyond its core transport function. By embedding adaptability into its architecture, the terminal becomes a resilient contributor to local cultural life, supporting both tourism and community engagement.
FERRY TERMINAL MULTI-PURPOSE AREA
Public Spaces and Placemaking
Role of Gathering Spaces in Social Interaction
Phase 4 - Role of Paviion as Social Gathering Space
The timber pavilion proposed in Phase 4 serves not only as an architectural focal point but also as a vital platform for social and cultural exchange in Whitehaven. Designed with openness and versatility in mind, the pavilion facilitates a range of public functions, transforming from market canopy to performance stage, from exhibition gallery to wellness hub.
Its strategic placement at the waterfront and visual alignment with King Street invites seamless pedestrian flow, encouraging spontaneous gatherings and programmed events. The curved timber structure offers both shelter and spectacle, fostering community interaction across all ages and interests. Whether hosting a craft market, a yoga session, or a coastal heritage exhibition, the pavilion celebrates Whitehaven’s identity while activating its public realm.
As a multifunctional node, this space champions placemaking principles, offering not just infrastructure, but belonging, vibrancy, and cultural continuity.
Iteration 1 - Coastal Heritage Hub
Iteration 4 - Local Market Vendors
Iteration 2 - Craft Market
Iteration 5 - Wellness and Yoga Class
Iteration 3 - Live Music Performance
Iteration 6 - Street Art Exhibition
Key Takeaways Spatial Speculation Conclusions
From Spatial Speculation to Interscalar Systems
This chapter has explored how design thinking can unlock new relationships between Whitehaven’s built form, its people, and its layered histories. By dissecting the town into phases of intervention each guided by specific design principles—we have envisioned a spatial framework that is both place-rooted and future-facing. From adaptive reuse to strategic placemaking, from market activation to coastal promenades, these speculative interventions form a spatial narrative of revival, resilience, and regeneration.
Yet architecture does not operate in isolation. The success of these spaces depends on how they relate to broader networks—transport infrastructure, regional ecologies, and socio-economic flows. As such, the focus shifts outward: from discrete spatial strategies to understanding how this proposal embeds itself within multiple scales of context and impact.
The next stage of exploration - Interscalar Systems - shifts the focus from spatial speculation through iterations to the connectivity between the focal points of the Whitehaven masterplan at different scales. Thus, key points that are to be explored in the next chapter, with emphasis on the ferry terminal as the catalyst of the whole masterplan are as follows:
- Relationship to key nodes across Whitehaven (transport, retail, cultural, and leisure anchors)
- Integration of within the town's mobility network (pedestrian, bus, cycle, car)
- Whitehaven as a regional transport and travel hub (connectivity between Whitehaven and other coastal towns in Cumbria, Lancashire, Isle of Man, and even Ireland)
- Seasonal and tourist flow patterns at various scales
Why Scale Matters in Urban Design Introduction to Interscalar Thinking
Introduction
Urban design is inherently multiscalar. The success of a spatial intervention does not lie solely in its form or materiality, but in how it interconnects with broader networks — economic, ecological, social, and infrastructural. In Whitehaven, the ferry terminal and its surrounding interventions operate not as isolated gestures, but as critical nodes within regional, national, and even transnational systems
This chapter explores how designed elements resonate across scales — from the experience of a pedestrian navigating King Street, to regional connectivity linking the town with the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, and the Lake District. By examining flows of people, goods, and cultural exchange, the project’s capacity to act as both a local enabler and a strategic infrastructural catalyst is revealed.
Understanding these interscalar dynamics is essential for delivering adaptive, resilient urbanism that responds not only to the present condition of Whitehaven, but to its potential futures within a wider territorial framework.
KESWICK
COCKERMOUTH
PENRITH
CARLISLE CLEATOR
WHITEHAVEN
EGREMONT
BARROW-IN-FURNESS
Whitehaven in the UK’s Transport Network
Rail, Road, Ferry, and Pedestrian Connectivity
Ferry Linkages - Macro Scale
Whitehaven’s harbour is uniquely positioned to serve as a maritime connector across the Irish Sea. The proposed ferry route to the Isle of Man—supplemented by potential seasonal or cargo-based links to Belfast or Dublin—extends Whitehaven’s relevance beyond the UK mainland, opening new economic and cultural exchanges.
Road Accessibility - Meso-Macro Scale
Though disconnected from major motorways, Whitehaven links eastward to the A595 and A66 corridors, key routes connecting the western coast to Penrith, the Lake District, and the M6 motorway. These links enable regional access and freight movement, making the town reachable from key centres like Carlisle, Lancaster, and Manchester.
Rail Connectivity - Meso-Micro Scale
Whitehaven sits on the Cumbrian Coast Line, providing direct connections to Carlisle in the north and Barrowin-Furness to the south. These links not only serve local commuter flows but also position Whitehaven within a scenic railway route that could support increased leisure and tourism-oriented travel, particularly when paired with integrated ferry services.
Pedestrian
At the micro-scale, internal circulation strategies reinforce Whitehaven’s urban legibility. New pedestrian routes unify the ferry terminal, town centre, promenade, and transport interchanges. This fosters seamless transitions from regional arrival to local exploration , thus ensuring that each transport mode contributes to a coherent, walkable experience
and Local Movement - Micro Scale
Cumbria Coast Line
Economic Impact of the Transport Hub
Job Creation, Tourism Growth, and Business Expansion
Job Creation
The transport hub supports direct employment through ferry operations, maintenance, hospitality, and transport coordination. It also creates indirect jobs in logistics, event management, construction, and facility management
- Estimated direct new jobs (operational): ~75–90
- Estimated indirect jobs (linked to tourism, retail & services): ~120–150
- Construction phase employment (short term): ~200–250 jobs over 24 months
This employment base improves the region’s resilience by offering a mix of skilled and entry-level opportunities in both seasonal and long-term formats.
Tourism Growth
The terminal repositions Whitehaven as a gateway destination for visitors from the Isle of Man, coastal England, and Ireland. Combined with upgraded pedestrian and cultural infrastructure, it increases the town’s visibility as a heritage-rich waterfront
- Average visitor stay increase: 0.5 to 1.5 days longer, benefiting local hotels, restaurants, and attractions
Events hosted at the waterfront pavilion and seasonal ferry-linked festivals help position Whitehaven as a year-round cultural destination.
Local Business Expansion
Improved accessibility attracts independent retailers, café owners, craftspeople, and market vendors — reversing the decline of the high street and supporting new enterprises.
- Projected new small business formations (within 3 years): 25–35
- Growth in market vendor activity (seasonal peak): +60%
- Occupancy rate of refurbished shopfronts (King Street): Expected rise from 52% to 85%
These shifts signal confidence in Whitehaven’s future — driven by infrastructure, design, and identity.
The revitalisation of Whitehaven’s harbour front and the introduction of a regional ferry terminal is more than a spatial transformation — it is a catalyst for long-term economic growth. By embedding flexible, multi-modal infrastructure into the town’s fabric, the project lays the groundwork for sustained employment, increased visitor numbers, and expanded business activity
By aligning transport investment with place-making and adaptive programming, the Whitehaven hub becomes more than a ferry terminal. It is an economic engine — stimulating the town from the ground up, and positioning it within a cross-border network of trade, tourism, and talent.
Tourism in Cumbria: Whitehaven’s Role
How the Masterplan integrates with the Lake District Economy
Cumbria's visitor economy is a cornerstone of its regional identity, attracting approximately 47 million tourists annually and supporting around 26% of the county's workforce The Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains the primary draw, welcoming over 18 million visitors in 2023 alone. (https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/ learning/factstourism/impactsoftourism)
However, this concentration of tourism has led to challenges, including environmental degradation, infrastructure strain, and community tensions in hotspots like Bowness-on-Windermere. In order to address these issues, regional strategies such as the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership's "attract and disperse" initiative aim to distribute tourism more evenly across the county. (https://www.thecumbrialep.co.uk/visitoreconomy/)
Whitehaven, with its rich maritime heritage and strategic coastal location, is poised to play a pivotal role in this redistribution. The town serves as a gateway to the western Lake District and is the starting point for renowned cycling routes like the C2C (Sea to Sea), which attracts between 12,000 and 15,000 riders annually. (https://www.cumberland. gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-04/whitehaven_lcwip_technical_report. pdf )
The proposed masterplan, featuring a revitalized ferry terminal and enhanced pedestrian infrastructure, aligns with national and local policies promoting sustainable tourism and active travel. The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for Whitehaven emphasizes the development of coherent, direct, and attractive routes to encourage walking and cycling, thereby supporting both health and environmental objectives.
By integrating these elements, Whitehaven can alleviate pressure on overburdened areas of the Lake District, offer unique cultural and recreational experiences, and contribute to a more balanced and sustainable tourism economy in Cumbria.
Imagining Traveller’s Journey through Whitehaven Day-in-the-Life
Framing Design Through Everyday Encounters
Whitehaven’s revitalised harbourfront and town centre unfold as a continuous sequence of adaptable spaces, catering to both local needs and visiting flows. From the early morning harbour logistics to the evening civic atmosphere, the town operates through spatial flexibility and connected rhythms.
In the morning, ferry passengers arrive and filter through a clearly legible urban route — from the northern terminal, through the Strand Street Pavilion, and into the animated King Street market spine. As retail activates, the harbour edge transitions from a threshold into a destination, merging pedestrian flows with civic and commercial uses
By midday, key cultural anchors — such as the Cumbrian Coast Museum and the Edge Activities Hub — host learning and leisure, integrating seamlessly with the promenade network. The adaptive reuse of Victorian buildings enriches the narrative of place while offering diverse programs.
Toward evening, Whitehaven softens into a landscape of lights and silhouettes. Streetlife concentrates around waterfront cafés, market stalls wind down, and the promenade becomes a social corridor The masterplan supports this evolving rhythm — a place for arrival, exploration, and lingering.
Alternatively, travellers are anticipated to engage in several different routes based on individual curiosities (from the ferry terminal as starting point to the bus terminal serving as end point (from where travellers can access the Lake District National Park or other destinations across Northern England) of their Whitehaven tourist experience), as suggested in the accompanying maps.
Iteration 1 - The Cultural Curator
The cultural trail features direct access from the ferry terminal through the bascule bridge into the Cumbrian Coast Museum and maritime hub. This functional flow demonstrates how cultural learning and transportation infrastructure intersect
Iteration 3 - The High Street Explorer
An individual journey tracing the transition from ferry terminal through King Street’s activated urban market spine, terminating at the civic square pavilion. This route highlights the economic engine of the high street and its synergy with temporary and permanent retail.
Iteration 2 - The Seafront Wanderer
This promenade-focused loop follows a relaxed visitor from the ferry terminal through the newly activated seafront, including the Edge Pavilion and back via the waterfront café circuit. It reflects the scenic and experiential aspect of Whitehaven’s transformation.
Iteration 4 - The Complete Loop
This full journey loop connects the ferry terminal with each key phase of the regeneration — King Street, the Pavilion, the Waterfront, the Marina, and the Dock. It illustrates Whitehaven’s transformation into a walkable urban circuit
Climate Adaptation Strategies in a Coastal Town
Whitehaven’s Flood Mitigation and Resilience Plan
UK Government's 'Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy' (2020)
This strategy emphasizes adaptive pathways, nature-based solutions, and community resilience, themes directly influencing Whitehaven’s approach.
DEFRA's 'National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England' (2020)
While Calls for building climate resilience into urban development by designing flexible spaces that can adapt to future flood risk scenarios.
Cumbria Coastal Strategy (2021)
Identifies Whitehaven Harbour as an area requiring managed adaptation, with emphasis on infrastructure protection, flood risk reduction, and sustainable harbour uses.
Raised Waterfront Landscapes
The new quayside and promenade levels are elevated relative to current flood predictions, creating a physical buffer without isolating the public realm.
Tidal Barrage Investigation
Long-term plans explore various possibilities for a modular tidal gate system at the harbour mouth, pending further regional funding and engineering assessments.
Adaptive Ferry Terminal Design
The ferry terminal structure incorporates flood-resilient ground floor systems, including waterresistant materials and passive flood ventilation to minimise damage in extreme events.
Water Retention Zones
New paving designs integrate permeable materials and subtle urban rain gardens to delay surface runoff during heavy rain.
As coastal communities face increasing risks from climate change (rising sea level, storm surges, and heavier rainfall events) integrated flood resilience has become a critical priority in waterfront redevelopment. Whitehaven's masterplan fully embraces national and regional climate adaptation frameworks, embedding proactive, layered strategies to protect both people and assets.
Urban Density & Growth Patterns
How New Infrastructure Affects Local Housing and Business
Strategic infrastructure investment has profound effects on urban form shaping not only mobility but also density, land use, and economic opportunity. In Whitehaven, the introduction of a ferry terminal and revitalised harbourfront sets in motion a series of urban transformations that extend well beyond immediate transport benefits.
Increased Density Around Key Nodes
The ferry terminal acts as a new magnet for activity, encouraging higher density development within a 5–10 minute walking radius. Anticipated changes include intensified residential uses, boutique hotel developments, co-working hubs, and waterfront cafés clustering along the promenade and Strand Street, aligned with placemaking strategies from the UK National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which encourages compact, walkable urban cores.
Catalyst for Housing Diversification
Infrastructure-led regeneration often triggers demand for a broader range of housing typologies, from short-stay serviced apartments catering to visitors, to affordable housing for service workers. Following principles outlined in the White Paper: "Planning for the Future" (MHCLG, 2020), Whitehaven’s plan supports densification without sacrificing character, through careful infill and adaptive reuse strategies near the harbour and town centre.
Support for Small Business Growth
Revitalised urban edges create fertile ground for independent retailers, creative industries, and food enterprises. Underused Victorian structures are targeted for conversion into ground-floor commercial spaces with residential or co-working uses above, supporting the Cumbria LEP’s ambition for "vibrant, economically diverse town centres."
Funding & Implementation Strategies
Public-Private Partnerships and Phased Execution
Delivering the Whitehaven masterplan requires a carefully balanced funding and implementation strategy, ensuring financial viability and longterm sustainability. The project leverages Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to pool public resources with private investment, enabling the creation of high-quality infrastructure and public spaces while sharing both risk and reward.
The strategy is structured around phased execution, allowing development to respond flexibly to funding availability, market demand, and operational lessons learned. Early phases focus on critical infrastructure such as the ferry terminal and public realm improvements, setting the foundation for future phases like business hubs, retail revitalization, and cultural amenities
Key approaches
- Public Sector Leadership: Government agencies fund essential infrastructure (flood defences, transport nodes) and provide policy support aligned with UK frameworks like the Leveling Up Fund and Coastal Communities Fund
- Private Sector Investment: Businesses and developers invest in commercial spaces, hospitality venues, and long-term operations, incentivized through tax relief and long-lease agreements
- Community-Led Initiatives: Local stakeholders participate in microinvestments, ensuring local economic benefits and social buy-in
Together, these elements forge a roadmap where economic, social, and environmental returns align, ensuring Whitehaven's regeneration remains resilient and adaptive.
Levelling Up the United Kingdom
MASTERPLAN PHASE Phase 1 - The Catalyst
Phase 2 - The Anchor Phase 3 - The Cultural Driver Phase 4 - The Hub Phase 5 - The Activation
Public Transport & Mobility Strategies
Integrating Buses, Ferries, Cycling, and Pedestrian Movement
A resilient urban framework relies on a seamless mobility network that prioritizes accessibility, sustainability, and user experience. The Whitehaven masterplan reimagines the town’s transportation systems by aligning multiple modes into a coherent, human-centered network.
The ferry terminal acts as the key arrival and departure point for regional and international visitors, linking Whitehaven to the Isle of Man and beyond. To facilitate smooth onward journeys, the bus interchange is positioned within a short walking distance, offering direct services across Cumbria, including Workington, Carlisle, and the Lake District gateways.
Cycling infrastructure is strategically enhanced through new protected lanes that connect the ferry terminal, the marina, the town centre, and the national cycling routes, as well as high-capacity bicycle parking incorporated at key hubs.
Pedestrian flows are prioritized through continuous, accessible promenades linking the waterfront, high street, and cultural venues. Key crossings are redesigned to be safer and more legible, enhancing the experience for locals and visitors alike.
This multimodal integration fosters a '15-minute town' logic—reducing car dependency, promoting active mobility, and reinforcing Whitehaven’s role as a sustainable transport hub within Cumbria's regional system.
Relevant strategic frameworks influencing this approach include the Cumbria Transport Infrastructure Plan (CTIP 2022) and the Department for Transport's Gear Change: A Bold Vision for Cycling and Walking (2020)
towards Douglas
Countess Road
Transport Infrastructure Plan
Cumbria
Whitehaven Terminal
towards Lake District
Interscalar Connections
Whitehaven Harbour Related to distant Points of Interest
Whitehaven’s harbour redevelopment places the town at the forefront of a regional maritime strategy, connecting Cumbria’s coast with significant hubs across the Irish Sea and the broader UK. The map demonstrates how Whitehaven can function as a pivotal ferry terminal within a network of established and proposed ferry routes, creating vital links to Douglas (Isle of Man), Liverpool, Heysham, and beyond.
A key opportunity lies in improving Isle of Man–Lake District connections. Currently, Douglas is linked to Liverpool and Heysham via regular ferry services (28 trips weekly), with onward journeys to the Lake District requiring significant land travel. By comparison, a direct Douglas–Whitehaven–Keswick route can reduce overall journey times from around 3h 44m (via Liverpool) and 2h 23m (via Heysham) to just 1h 28m, combining ferry and a short road segment, significantly increasing efficiency for both tourists and residents.
This enhanced connectivity is not limited to the Isle of Man. The proposal introduces a Cumbrian Liner service along the coast, linking Whitehaven to Barrow-in-Furness, St Bees, Silloth, and Workington, while the Celtic Liner concept extends the network towards Dublin, Bangor, and Llandudno, boosting Whitehaven’s strategic reach.
Through these maritime expansions, Whitehaven becomes a key transport node, not only anchoring Cumbria’s economic and tourist flows but also tying the Lake District and surrounding regions into a broader UK and Ireland ferry network. The integration of existing routes and visionary new connections reflects a long-term goal of positioning Whitehaven as a true gateway between land and sea, aligned with sustainability and regional growth policies.
WHITEHAVEN
Douglas
Belfast
Dublin
Liverpool
Blackpool
Llandudno
Bangor
Workington
Silloth
Heysham
Barrow-in-Furness
St. Bees
Interscalar Systems Conclusions
Key Takeaways
From Interscalar Systems to Materials Matter
This chapter has demonstrated how Whitehaven’s regeneration is shaped by connections across scales—linking local urban life with regional, national, and transnational networks. The transport hub and waterfront redevelopment are not just functional interventions but strategic tools that reposition Whitehaven within wider economic, cultural, and environmental systems.
Key insights include:
- The power of integrated transport networks in reactivating urban spaces
- The economic and social potential of strengthened regional and maritime links
- Alignment with UK coastal regeneration and climate resilience policies to ensure lasting impact
- The importance of phased implementation and strategic funding models for delivering sustainable growth
As we move forward, the focus shifts from systems and networks to the material realities that give form to this vision. The next chapter, Materials Matter, explores how construction choices, both traditional and innovative, will ground the masterplan in its coastal context, balancing durability, sustainability, and identity.
The Role of Materiality in Urban Identity Introduction to Material Studies
Introduction
Materiality is more than a construction choice; it is a language that speaks of place, history, and ambition. In Whitehaven’s context, a town shaped by its maritime heritage, industrial legacies, and evolving public spaces, the selection of materials is crucial in weaving old and new together Materials must respond not only to environmental and functional demands but also to the sensibilities of local identity: from the weatherworn textures of the harbor to the refined surfaces of new interventions.
This chapter investigates how materials shape user perception, foster cultural continuity, and enhance resilience in coastal environments. It asks: how can a thoughtful palette of concrete, metals, and timber express both modernity and belonging? How can material choices soften the transition between infrastructure and human experience?
By anchoring design in material specificity, Whitehaven’s redevelopment aims to create tactile, meaningful spaces that are robust, beautiful, and contextually grounded—ensuring that every surface contributes to a distinct sense of place.
Focused Area
Material Palette for Whitehaven
Historic Sandstone, Timber, and New Materials
Inspiration to the Ferry Teminal
The material strategy for Whitehaven’s ferry terminal draws inspiration not from traditional stone but from the raw, industrial textures and coastal environment of the harbour. The waterfront is defined by utilitarian structures (weathered metals, concrete sea defences, and aged timber) each marked by exposure to salt air and maritime use.
Rather than replicating historic forms, the material palette seeks to abstract and reinterpret these existing elements to create a new architectural identity that feels authentic yet forward-looking.
The material palette focuses on:
- Concrete (Exposed and Textured): referencing the robust infrastructure of the port, providing durability and a calm, neutral backdrop that withstands marine conditions
- Corten Steel: its oxidized patina speaks to industrial decay and resilience, bringing warmth and color variation as it ages, echoing maritime machinery and dockside hardware
- Galvanized Steel/Aluminium Fins: thin, rhythmic elements referencing shipbuilding and rigging; these introduce lightness and dynamism while helping manage light and shade
- Treated Timber Accents: used sparingly to soften and humanize publicfacing spaces, inspired by the remnants of old jetties and piers
- Glass and Transparent Polycarbonate: to create openness and visual connection to the sea, reflecting changing light conditions and emphasizing coastal exposure
This approach balances resilience with refinement, transforming raw, site-based materials into a contemporary architectural language that anchors the ferry terminal within Whitehaven's working waterfront identity.
The internal structure of the ferry terminal is designed around a system of exposed steel beams, chosen for their flexibility, structural efficiency, and industrial resonance within Whitehaven’s maritime heritage. Steel allows for longer spans and open-plan interiors, accommodating the dynamic flows of passengers and adaptable uses within the terminal. Its precision and slenderness bring a sense of engineered clarity to the space, evoking the aesthetic of ships and port infrastructure.
Wrapping around the structural columns, a layer of curved laminated timber panels introduces warmth, texture, and human scale to the interior. This timber lining softens the industrial feel of steel, creating a tactile and inviting environment that contrasts with the terminal’s hard exterior. The use of wood celebrates craftsmanship and natural materiality, evoking the wooden shipbuilding traditions once central to Whitehaven’s identity.
In the context of a coastal town, the combination of steel and timber balances resilience and warmth. Steel ensures structural robustness and resistance to coastal humidity, while timber offers an experiential counterpoint—linking the building to local narratives of material use, sustainability, and sensory engagement. This material interplay enhances both functional performance and emotional resonance within the terminal.
Material Performance in Coastal Context
Ferry Terminal Curtain Walls and External Structure
The ferry terminal’s external structure is defined by reinforced concrete, chosen for its durability in the coastal environment. This material provides essential resistance to wind, salt corrosion, and moisture, ensuring longevity with minimal maintenance in a harsh maritime climate. The concrete acts as both a structural and protective element, anchoring the building firmly against the dynamic conditions of the seafront.
The integration of curtain walls introduces a contrasting lightness to the solidity of concrete. Large glazed panels open the terminal to natural light, expansive harbour views, and a seamless visual connection with the waterfront. These transparent surfaces allow passengers to experience the shifting character of the coastal landscape from within, while maintaining weather protection and thermal performance
Together, the pairing of concrete and curtain walls reflects an architecture that is robust yet permeable, resilient yet inviting, expressing Whitehaven’s identity as both a working harbour and a place of arrival and departure. This material dialogue grounds the terminal in its coastal setting while celebrating openness and connectivity.
Material Performance in Coastal Context
Roofing and Cladding
The ferry terminal’s roof is designed as an interplay of robust structure and light penetration, combining a solid protective surface with a series of integrated rooflights. These openings introduce natural daylight deep into the building, reducing reliance on artificial lighting while creating visual connections to the sky and sea, thus reinforcing the relationship between interior spaces and the coastal environment.
Externally, the terminal is enveloped by a system of curved metal fins, wrapping the façade in a fluid, rhythmic pattern that evokes the movement of waves and the layering of maritime structures. These metallic cladding elements act as both solar shading and aesthetic articulation, modulating light, shadow, and texture across the building’s surface throughout the day.
The material palette consisting of durable metals capable of withstanding coastal weathering and salt exposure, is selected for longevity while maintaining an expressive form. Together, the roofing and cladding create a dynamic skin that responds to Whitehaven’s maritime identity, embedding the architecture within its environmental and cultural context through material performance and visual storytelling.
Key Takeaways Materials Matter Conclusions
From Materials Matter to Studio 3
This chapter concludes the exploration of materiality as a driver of Whitehaven’s coastal regeneration. By emphasizing composition, appearance, and resilience, the material studies have anchored the masterplan in its environmental, cultural, and economic context. Together with the earlier chapters, this forms an integrated research foundation.
Key insights include:
- The role of materials in connecting new architecture with Whitehaven’s maritime and industrial heritage
- The importance of resilience and durability in selecting materials for a harsh coastal climate
- The expressive potential of materials in shaping user experience and local identity
- How material choices support sustainable construction aligned with regeneration policies
As we move into Studio 3, the focus shifts from conceptual exploration to architectural resolution. The next stage will translate these principles into detailed spatial, tectonic, and material expressions, developing a coherent and buildable architectural proposal that bridges vision with constructability.
