Isles of Scilly Link Passenger Terminal Case Study, Penzance, Cornwall

The Isles of Scilly Link is a combination of projects for improved harbours and a new vessel which together will secure the future continuation of a sea service between Penzance, Cornwall and St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly. The St Mary’s and Penzance harbour improvements will be delivered by a project team, comprising Cornwall County Council, Birse Coastal, Halcrow Group Ltd and Trewin Design Partnership The new passenger building has been designed to process up to 600 passengers during peak periods. It provides a new arrivals area, baggage handling, and a passenger waiting lounge with ancillary staff facilities. The freight shed allows the storage of perishable goods for shipping to the Islands.

The striking design has a large canopy that sails over part of an existing open space, creating a new visually exciting entrance to the new Ferry Terminus. The building will be located within the confines of the existing and new sea walls and is erected on reclaimed land. The canopy appears to be breaking out from behind the existing wall whilst the remaining structure has been made to appear ‘contained’, almost subdued, by the enormity of the surrounding 3m thick sea defences. We wanted a calmness to the building where it is hidden, by providing a simple uncomplicated appearance to strengthen the idea of a subdued building but we wanted to contrast this with the idea the building ‘breaking out’ in a dramatic way where given the opportunity.

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