Saltdean Lido, an iconic 1930s Art Deco structure on the East Sussex coast, received the prestigious Repair and Refurbishment Award at the Concrete Society Awards on 13 November in London. Sponsored by the Concrete Repair Association (CRA), the accolade recognised the outstanding work delivered by R H Partnership Architects, Cemplas Waterproofing & Concrete Repairs Ltd and Mapei (UK) Ltd in transforming the UK’s only remaining coastal 1930s lido from a derelict building into a vibrant, year-round community destination.
Decades of exposure to coastal weather had severely corroded the lido’s original concrete, worsened by locally sourced sea-dredged aggregate. Cemplas tackled extensive deterioration using sophisticated repair methods, applying a tailored repair strategy to tackle spalling, carbonation and chloride contamination while maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the Art Deco design. The conservation-first approach aimed to retain as much of the historic original structure as possible; in areas beyond repair, the discrete integration of new steel columns and beams supported structural stability while preserving visual authenticity.
Advanced repair techniques, including cathodic protection, were crucial to halt further corrosion. High-performance repair mortars reinforced the original concrete, enabling the restored structure to withstand the coastal environment. Sustainable materials such as low-carbon concrete and corrosion-resistant coatings were specified to extend the lido’s lifespan and reduce future maintenance.
Derek Leaver, chair of Saltdean Lido SLCIC, said: “Bringing new life to Saltdean Lido has been a fantastic achievement for the construction team and the whole community. The specialist work involved with the concrete repair from Cemplas and Mapei, in particular, deserves broader recognition.”
Liam Blencowe, managing director of Cemplas, said: “We are delighted to have won this award for the extensive repair works carried out on this project using Mapei products. This is the second award we have received for this project, and it is fantastic to see the efforts of our team being recognised. The concrete repair and protection works to the lido were very extensive, and we are delighted to have played our part in saving the structure of Saltdean Lido.”
Paul Russell, Mapei’s category manager for concrete repair and composites, added: “Saltdean Lido was a challenging restoration project, and we are so pleased that our products contributed to achieving the required level of performance for the aggressive environment, as well as giving an aesthetic finish for complex concrete detailing.”
Phillip Naylor, director of R H Partnership Architects, concluded: “It has been a privilege to be involved in the restoration of such an iconic piece of modernist architecture. As a practice, we’ve worked on many modern listed buildings, but Saltdean Lido is unique. Working with SLCIC and the wider community to secure a sustainable future for this building, sympathetic to its architectural heritage, has been immensely rewarding.”
Two other repair projects received Highly Commended awards: Balvac’s M6 Peover Eye bridge restoration in Cheshire and Beton Bauen’s Newport Schools project in South Wales. Balvac’s innovative phased repairs on Peover Bridge restored full load capacity ahead of schedule, while Beton Bauen’s work across multiple Newport schools prioritised safety and minimal disruption, showcasing excellence in complex concrete repair.
