Letter to the editor: Open letter and Proposal: Centenary Clock for the De La Warr Pavilion (2035)
An Open Letter to the Leadership and Trustees of the De La Warr Pavilion As the centenary of the De La Warr Pavilion approaches in 2035, there is a rare and meaningful opportunity to mark this milestone with a public gesture that is both timeless and forward-looking. I would like to propose the creation of a large-scale Centenary Clock, to be installed on the Pavilion’s exterior wall facing the seafront greens. This would not simply be a functional clock, but a carefully designed architectural feature—one that complements the Pavilion’s modernist heritage while offering a powerful civic symbol. Positioned prominently, it would serve as a shared point of reference for residents and visitors alike: a place to meet, to pause, and to reflect on the passage of time against the backdrop of one of Britain’s most important modernist buildings. The Pavilion was conceived as a democratic space—open, accessible, and rooted in public life. A centenary clock would honour that original vision. It would extend the building’s role beyond gallery and performance space into something even more elemental: a marker of time within the daily rhythms of the town. Done well, such a feature could become a new visual icon for Bexhill-on-Sea, a focal point for the 2035 centenary celebrations, and a lasting legacy that continues to engage the public long after the anniversary year. I believe this idea has the potential to attract artistic collaboration, public interest, and external funding, particularly if approached as a commissioned design project that invites innovation while respecting the Pavilion’s architectural integrity. I would welcome the opportunity to develop this proposal further or contribute to any exploratory discussions around centenary initiatives. Paul Minter Constable Way Bexhill
Proposal: A Centenary Clock for the De La Warr Pavilion (2035)
Introduction
The approaching centenary of the De La Warr Pavilion in 2035 represents a rare cultural moment: an opportunity not only to celebrate a landmark of British modernism, but to create a lasting addition to its public presence.
This proposal advocates for the commissioning and installation of a large-scale Centenary Clock on the Pavilion’s seafront-facing façade. Conceived not merely as a timekeeping device but as an integrated architectural and artistic intervention, the clock would serve as a permanent, visible, and meaningful legacy of the centenary year.
Concept Overview
The proposal is to install a prominent, architecturally sensitive clock feature on the exterior wall facing the greens and promenade.
Key characteristics:
Large-scale and legible from a distance
Integrated with the building’s modernist geometry
Designed as both functional object and public artwork
Visible to pedestrians, visitors, and the wider seafront landscape
Rather than imitating traditional civic clocks, the intention is to commission a design that reflects the Pavilion’s original spirit of innovation—potentially through minimalist or modernist design language, kinetic or light-based elements, and a contemporary interpretation of time display.
Indicative Visual Concept
The Centenary Clock is envisioned as a large, elegant, and restrained intervention integrated into the seafront façade of the Pavilion.
Rather than a traditional clock face, the design could take the form of a minimalist modernist composition aligned with the building’s horizontal and curved geometry. This might include a clean circular or semi-circular form, with slim, understated hands or linear indicators.
Subtle backlighting or edge illumination could allow the clock to emerge gradually at dusk, becoming a quiet but distinctive presence along the seafront at night. Materials such as brushed metal, glass, or enamel would complement the Pavilion’s existing palette and architectural language.
Alternative approaches could explore a more contemporary interpretation of time, such as a linear or segmented light display embedded into the façade, or a kinetic element in which components move slowly to mark the passage of time.
In all cases, the intention is that the clock should feel inevitable rather than applied—an addition that appears entirely at home within the building while still marking the significance of the centenary.
Cultural and Architectural Rationale
The Pavilion was conceived as a democratic, forward-looking public building—breaking with tradition and embracing modern life.
A public clock aligns closely with this founding vision:
It is universally understood and used
It belongs to everyone, not just visitors or ticket-holders
It connects the building to the daily rhythms of the town
In this sense, the clock would not be an imposition, but a continuation of the Pavilion’s original purpose: architecture embedded in civic life.
Place-Making and Identity
Bexhill-on-Sea possesses a globally recognised architectural landmark, yet there remains an opportunity to strengthen its identity in the public imagination.
A Centenary Clock could become:
A distinctive visual marker on the south coast
A natural meeting point
A photographic and symbolic feature associated with the town
A recognisable element in tourism and media
Unlike temporary programming, this intervention would create a permanent, everyday relationship between people and place.
Public Engagement and Experience
Much of the Pavilion’s engagement currently takes place inside the building or through events. The exterior, while iconic, functions largely as a visual presence.
A clock would transform this subtly by:
Drawing the eye and renewing attention
Creating a shared reference point in the landscape
Offering continuous, passive interaction
Embedding the Pavilion into everyday routines
It achieves this without requiring participation, making it inherently inclusive.
Artistic Opportunity
The Centenary Clock should be approached as a commissioned artwork rather than a standard installation.
This allows for:
A design competition involving architects and artists
Collaboration with contemporary practitioners
A piece that references modernist heritage while remaining innovative
Handled well, the project could attract national attention within architecture and design communities.
Legacy Value
Centenary programmes are often temporary. This proposal focuses on lasting impact.
The clock would:
Remain in place for decades
Continue daily public engagement
Serve as a permanent reminder of the centenary
Become part of the Pavilion’s evolving story
It would act as a visible, enduring marker of time itself.
Funding and Feasibility
The project’s intersection of art, architecture, heritage, and community engagement makes it suitable for diverse funding sources.
Potential avenues include:
Arts funding bodies
Heritage funding programmes
Philanthropic donors
Corporate sponsorship
Cultural and architectural partnerships
A strong conceptual framework and commissioning process would support funding success.
Constraints and Considerations
As a Grade I listed building, any intervention must be handled with exceptional care.
Key considerations:
Heritage and conservation approvals
Sensitivity to the original façade
Minimal or reversible structural impact
Long-term maintenance
Avoiding visual intrusion
These constraints should guide design quality rather than limit ambition.
Implementation Approach (Suggested)
Feasibility study and stakeholder consultation
Development of design principles
Open or invited design competition
Public engagement with proposals
Final commission and installation for 2035
Conclusion
The centenary of the De La Warr Pavilion is an opportunity not only to reflect on its past, but to act with the same boldness that defined its creation.
A Centenary Clock offers a public, democratic gesture; a permanent architectural contribution; a new symbol for the town; and a meaningful, visible legacy.
With ambition and care, it could become a quiet but powerful presence in everyday life—marking time against one of Britain’s most important modernist buildings