East Quay

by Invisible Studio

Client Onion Collective CIC

Awards RIBA South West Award 2023, RIBA South West Client of the Year Award 2023 and RIBA South West Building of the Year Award 2023 (sponsored by EH Smith ).

East Quay is a project of perseverance and dedication, reinvigorating the local community and initiating the ongoing regeneration of the coastal town of Watchet in West Somerset. A combination of gallery, workshops, and community centre, it is the vision of the local, female-led, not-for-profit company Onion Collective, and has been financed by community fundraising. It is located on an abandoned boatyard annexed from the town, and is deliberately orientated towards the town, giving a sense that it is wrapping its arms around it in a warm embrace. From a distance as you approach Watchet, your eye is inexplicably drawn to the amalgamation of somewhat idiosyncratic building volumes that poke their heads above the harbour resplendent in seaside stripes.  

Read the full citation from the RIBA Awards Jury on RIBA Journal.

Landscape Architect LT Studio

Contractor Midas

Structural Engineer Momentum

Environmental / M&E Engineer Troup Bywaters & Anders

Quantity Surveyor / Cost Consultant MEA Clark

Delivery Architect Ellis Williams

Interior Design Pearce + Faegan

Gross internal area in m2 1650