Hampton Beach Redevelopment Project – Phase 2 – Seashell Building

The New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development knew that the services at the Hampton Beach State Park needed to be replaced with facilities that could meet the demands of today and bring more visitors to the state thereby having a positive impact on the economy. They turned to the NH Lakes Region architecture firm, Samyn-D’Elia Architects to be the project architects working along with ORW Landscape Architects and Planners and Vanasse Hagen Brustlin Engineers (VHB) to transform the existing park in two phases. This team prepared Feasibility Plans for a family-friendly hub that echoed local vintage architecture, yet was tough enough to handle crowds and harsh seaside conditions. The project then proceeded in a multi-phase construction schedule. Phase 1 included two new bathhouses and accompanying landscaping and site construction. Read More about Phase 1

Phase 2 incorporated the demolition of the existing Seashell Building and replacing it with a new Seashell Building with two pavilions on each side.

Shown at left is the old Seashell Building before demolition.

The Seashell Complex Rendering presented in the Feasibility Study.

The new Seashell Complex, designed by Samyn-D’Elia Architects, is a multi-season facility that is the centerpiece of Hampton Beach. Now near completion, it will serve as a center for entertainment venues during the day and at night, seating 750 people, and include state of the art theatrical lighting and sound and, of course, dressing rooms for the entertainers.

The frame and tensile cover for the “seashell” canopy is being installed. It isn’t hard to imagine the stage lights, sounds, and excitement of a show happening as the stage is moving forward to its finish.

Viewed from the beach side, the Seashell Building will house lifeguard facilities affording sweeping views of the beach, a first aid station, a community event room and the Park manager’s offices. There will be two ancillary stages for daytime entertainment on the beach.

Aerial View of the Seashell Building while under construction.

An aerial view of the Seashell Building and the North and South Pavilions. The two Pavilions on each side of the Seashell offer visitor services and Park maintenance and patrol space.

The South Pavilion, shown here, has a Visitor Center with parking, rest rooms, lockers and post and beam shade structures. The second level includes event space and a conference room. Vintage seacoast architecture in appearance, but 21st century in energy efficient features and durable exterior materials are a big part of the building. Green architecture was followed with low flow toilets, Low E energy efficient fiberglass windows, insulated concrete forms, and cementitous fiberboard siding.

The North Pavilion, located on the north side of the Seashell is used as support space for Park patrol and maintenance. The sail marks the location of D Street with the enhanced crosswalk for visitors to the beach. The enhanced crosswalk is designed to make it handicapped accessible.

Not necessarily apparent are exterior materials that were carefully chosen not just for looks, but for sustainability and durability in the harsh environment on the coast. They must withstand extreme heat in the summer, blizzards in the winter, hurricanes in the fall and fog and salt spray all year.

Even the new side walk lights are durable and green with the use of energy efficient lights. As with all municipal facilities, budgetary considerations play a part in those choices; but this was artfully and skillfully accomplished.

The walkway shown here has been named the “long walk”. It is barefoot friendly on a hot summer day and provides access along the length of the beach to the crosswalks on Ocean Boulevard.

Beach erosion controls were one of the site improvements that were done. Although they are not visible, they are play a very important role in keeping the beach in place for future generations.