The old pier had to be torn down because of disrepair, but the hope was to create a new community venue destination. Jennette's Pier is an extension of North Carolina Aquariums, so the client wanted to promote the NC Aquarium's mission of education and quality programming throughout the fishing pier, gift shop, exhibit area, classrooms, and venue hall. This project received a LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) because of its sustainable design and the state-of-the-art technologies utilized.
Our favorite element is the undulating, gypsum board used on the walls in the venue hall. It provided acoustics as was intentionally well-lit to become a focal point during evening events. Durable finishes were important due to the nature of the project's location and audience. We chose rubber flooring because it could withstand sandy, salty feet going in and out of the fishing pier. We cut curves in the flooring to mimic the movement of water, bringing the location into the design of the space. Many of the materials used were made of recycled content. The countertop where you would eat your concession hotdog while looking out to the pier showcases recycled glass, as did the custom concrete mantle and exterior pavers.
