Saltdean Lido wins Concrete Repair Association award
Saltdean Lido, a 1930s Art Deco landmark in East Sussex, has won the Concrete Repair Association's Repair and Refurbishment Award. This award recognises the exceptional work R H Partnership Architects, Cemplas Waterproofing & Concrete Repairs, and Mapei (UK) have undertaken in restoring the UK’s only coastal lido of its kind, and was presented at the Concrete Society Awards, held in London on 13 November.
Decades of coastal exposure and the use of sea-dredged aggregate in the original construction left the lido’s concrete heavily corroded. The restoration team employed advanced repair techniques to address structural issues while retaining the building’s historic character.
“Bringing new life to Saltdean Lido has been a fantastic achievement for the construction team and the whole community,” said Derek Leaver, chair of Saltdean Lido SLCIC. “The specialist concrete repair work from Cemplas and Mapei deserves wider recognition.”
Cemplas tackled spalling, carbonation, and chloride contamination using tailored strategies. The team applied cathodic protection to halt corrosion and used high-performance repair mortars to strengthen the original concrete. Where repairs weren’t feasible, new steel beams and columns were discreetly integrated to ensure stability without compromising the lido’s iconic design.
Liam Blencowe, managing director of Cemplas, highlighted the scope of the project: “The concrete repair and protection works were extensive, and we are delighted to have played a part in saving Saltdean Lido’s structure. Winning this award is a testament to our team’s effort.”
Sustainable materials, including low-carbon concrete and corrosion-resistant coatings, were used to enhance durability and reduce future maintenance needs. Mapei’s products played a key role in meeting the performance demands of the coastal environment.
Paul Russell, category manager for Mapei, noted: “Saltdean Lido was a challenging restoration project, and we’re pleased our materials helped achieve the necessary performance and aesthetic goals.”
Architect Phillip Naylor of R H Partnership added: “Restoring such an iconic piece of modernist architecture has been immensely rewarding. Balancing architectural heritage with long-term sustainability was a privilege.”
The CRA also commended two other repair projects: Balvac’s M6 Peover Eye bridge restoration in Cheshire and Beton Bauen’s Newport Schools project in South Wales. Both showcased innovation and excellence in concrete repair.
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