East Beach Café, Shoebury, Southend on Sea – Client was Southend on Sea Borough Council. The waterproofing was handled by Tower Roofing with Pritchard & Pritchard installing the green roof element.
The location of the site was tricky, coastal with sea breezes and saltwater spray. Harrowden advised and assisted in the design of the Sedum Extensive Green Roof. They worked to provide the type of planting best suited to this environment and the overall success of the project.
Subsequently the issue of the wildflower requirement was highlighted from the planners. It was suggested that the green roof would be enhanced by adding additional wildflower plug plants. Alumasc and Harrowden liaised with the landscape architect and plants were chosen for their hardy nature. This would give them the best possible chance to establish permanently and these were subsequently installed into the green roof area.
Harrowden were both helpful and professional in the design of this project and when the project reached site the service didn’t disappoint, deliveries were prompt and the quality of product was excellent, I would recommend them to anyone involved in a green roof project.
The East Beach Cafe
Located right on the beachfront with spectacular views of the sea, East Beach Cafe has a classic English menu including favourites like fresh locally caught fish, fish soup, traditional fish and chips with pea puree and the classic East Beach beef burger.
Thomas Heatherwick
The cafe was designed by Thomas Heatherwick who was discovered by Sir Terence Conran. Having left the Royal College of Art Conran leant his workshops to the budding designer to develop his early projects. Conran once called him ‘the Leonardo da Vinci of our times”. Thomas set up Heatherwick Studio in 1994, bringing together architects, product designers and engineers.
The studio produced many successful product and installation designs but it was not until it was commissioned in September 2005 to create a new cafe on the beach at Littlehampton that it was able to complete a real building. Thomas and his design team, headed by Peter Ayres, created a structure that became a popular local cafe. But, more importantly it was lauded around the world, helping to attract thousands of tourists to the south coast.
Milner Landscapes – Dracan Village Case Study 
