The project developed by ACME has different types of housing distributed in more than eighty homes. Twenty semi-detached houses are aligned in the center of the complex, separating the two blocks of apartments on either side, where we find four duplexes and thirty apartments each.
White glazed bricks are used as cladding on the façade, reflecting the changing colors of the sea and the sky depending on the weather and time of day, and chosen for their resistance to exposure to the sea. While inside, the spaces present a warm atmosphere that continues the feeling of the beach, through materials that invite touch and accentuate the impressive views that surround the complex.
Folkestone Shoreline by ACME. Photograph by Hufton+Crow.
"We renovated and inaugurated the port station and created an urban walkway across the viaduct to reconnect the city with the port arm and celebrate what remains of the old ferry and railway infrastructure. We are designing a new plan for the beach and harbour area that preserves beach access for all and creates new crescents, pebble gardens and a harbour quarter with a clear Folkestone identity.
Public space is often the last element to be delivered. At Shoreline, in 2020 all lorry parking was removed, a new promenade was created and a series of artworks are beginning to populate the first shingle gardens, outlining the shape of the scheme to come. We are grateful to Sir Roger and his team for their trust in us to deliver this most important element of their vision for a vibrant Folkestone, anchored in the Creative Industries and celebrating local heritage."
Friedrich Ludewig, Founding Director of ACME.
Folkestone Shoreline by ACME. Photograph by Hufton+Crow.
Project description by ACME
Folkestone was once an important fishing and ferry port and spa resort. The seafront was characterised by boats and railways, amusement piers, bathing establishments, roller coasters, mini golf and nightclubs until the ferry port and harbour station closed, and the area fell out of use over the last 25 years. Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company is leading a comprehensive redevelopment of Folkestone’s harbour area and to create a vibrant new seafront for the town.
Located prominently on the Folkestone beachfront is Shoreline, a contemporary take on the traditional Edwardian curved terrace and the first phase of the Folkestone Seafront & Harbour masterplan, designed by RIBA award-winning architectural practice ACME. Constructed by Jenner and delivered by Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company, Shoreline is the first step in creating a vibrant new community along the historic seafront.
Within the context of ACME’s 2016 Folkestone Harbour and Seafront masterplan, Shoreline is the first residential building to be completed. Located at the foot of the Grade II* listed Leas Lift, one of the oldest water lifts in the UK and on the edge of Lower Leas Coastal Park, Shoreline is surrounded by heritage and nature. It is a collection of 84 houses and apartments with uninterrupted beach views across the sea, stretching as far as the French coastline on a clear day.
Inspired by Kent's rich architectural heritage, Shoreline's layout and architectural language pay homage to Regency Buildings at the top of the Leas. Its form is a large sweeping crescent offering stunning sea views to as many homes as possible. The building contains 20 townhouses, 4 duplexes and two apartment blocks with 30 apartments each. The crescent sits directly on a raised part of the beach, and the semi-circular massing frames a sheltered communal garden away from the prevailing south-easterly winds.
Shoreline’s flowing curved form echoes the shape of the waves, pebbles and coast. The facade’s white glazed bricks reflecting the changing colours of the sea and sky according to the weather and the time of day. The unique, contemporary design is created with materials and robust details required for the seafront exposure. The white glazed bricks, sourced from Spain, refer back to the white stucco Regency houses at the top of the Leas. The crafted facade acts as a "hard shell," with all external elements being of the highest specification possible to endure in a marine environment. The bricks were carefully crafted and cut to help curve the gentle contours of the buildings. Over 28 designed brick specials have been utilised. The result is a glistening facade that reflects the sun and sea in sync with local weather patterns. A playful interpretation of the clinker brick sits within the concave rhythms of the south facade, where individual-shaped bricks are pulled forward to create interest and animation.
The building envelope is designed to high thermal standards to minimise heating and cooling requirements. This includes double and triple-glazed windows, depending on the orientation and performance requirements, and non-flammable mineral wool thermal insulation has been used within the walls to provide excellent insulation and keep the homes warm in the winter. The soffits of the townhouse staircases are left exposed to act at a thermal mass to moderate temperatures. All homes are provided with Mechanical Heat Recovery and Ventilation alongside openable windows to provide efficient background ventilation.
Sustainable features include:
- Shingle Gardens provides an ecological habitat, increasing species diversity within the beach.
- Rainwater harvesting, communal heating.
- Storage units and cycle parking are provided within the car park to encourage bike use.
- All parking spaces are provided with electric vehicle charging points.
- LED lighting throughout the apartments and common areas.
- A communal boiler to provide more efficient heating for the apartments.
Of the 84 new homes, 54 are one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 562 sq. ft. to 1,409 sq. ft. (excluding outside space), with each benefiting from balconies or terraces. There are also four sizeable duplexes facing the beachfront. There are six penthouses available, two of which provide over 1,800 sq. ft. of accommodation across two floors, with three bedrooms – which includes a sky bedroom that benefits from panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows – and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining room. There are also two spacious balconies and a sizeable roof terrace that total approximately 1,700 sq. ft. of private outside space. There are two 1,600 sq. ft. two-bedroom penthouses, with a similar internal layout and access to around 1,500 sq. ft. of private balconies and terraces.
20 townhouses line the centre of the building and offer direct access onto the beach, with private front and rear gardens and spacious balconies and roof terraces. Each five-storey home measures over 2,100 sq. ft., with the main living spaces spaced across each floor, with over 1,000 sq. ft. of private gardens, balconies and roof terraces, as well as two dedicated parking spaces.
With interiors designed by boutique luxury interior specialists 8 Holland Street, each home at Shoreline features a warm palette of materials that is inviting to the touch and carefully planned to accentuate the breathtaking views and form a contemporary backdrop for beachside living.
The interiors are shaped by elegant open-plan living spaces that feature natural wood floors, clean lines and woven carpets that continue the sense of the beach, with a splash of colour through carefully curated artwork, furniture, cabinetry and tiles to create an inherently cosy statement feel. Three individual palettes are available, including Smooth Pebble, Warm Sand and Natural Seashell.
The reception areas and lift lobbies draw their inspiration from Folkestone’s fishing history, with shingle terrazzo tiles to the floor and timber cladding to the walls. The building features pre-cast concrete stairs with concrete floors and acoustic walls.
On the podium level of the development, there is an expansive landscaped residential garden that offers feature planting, well-kept lawns, wild zones to encourage bees and insects, and seating areas. Shoreline connects to a newly built beachside boardwalk adjacent to the Lower Leas Coastal Park. The promenade also continues from Lower Leas Coastal Park towards Hythe.
The landscape design adapts to various weather conditions. The beachfront is open and directly accessible to the sea; the balconies and roof terraces offer sea views; and the terraces and communal garden facing inwards provide shelter from coastal winds. Circulation between private and common external spaces in the building create a sense of community whilst still clearly providing privacy to each home.
The Podium deck above the car park features an extensive communal roof garden that can be used by all residents. It is accessible directly from each townhouse and from the lift lobbies in each apartment building. Private roof terraces within the townhouses and apartments have stunning views south across the beach to the sea and France beyond.
Shoreline is a short walk to Folkestone Central Station, which provides direct trains to central London in under an hour, whilst the Eurotunnel station at Folkestone connects directly to Calais. Gatwick Airport and is just over an hour away by car, with London City Airport one hour and 30 minutes away.
The boardwalk easily connects residents to the Harbour Arm, which has quickly become the Kent Coast’s leading food and beverage destination, and provides access to a thriving waterside community attracting many artistic industries with the town’s Creative Quarter providing an urban village of designers, filmmakers, musicians, web developers and artists amongst the 90 or so restored buildings. Folkestone was recently voted as one of the best places to live in the UK due to its thriving arts community and public spaces, such as the refurbished train station, viaduct and Fountain Square, as well as high-achieving schools and its proximity to both London and the Eurotunnel.
