British architect Guy Hollaway recently unveiled plans for the world’s first multi-story skatepark, which is to be built in Folkestone, England. The project was commissioned by billionaire Roger De Haan with the hope that it will prevent young people from moving away from this sleepy seaside town. “What we’re trying to do is reverse engineer this brain drain,” Hollaway told Dezeen. “If you make childhood meaningful through education, sport, recreation then it’s more likely that they’ll invest in their town and the future and stay and maybe bring up their own children in that town – that is what true regeneration is about.”
Three of the skatepark’s undulating concrete floors will be used as a park for both skateboarders and BMX riders, while the basement will house a boxing ring. For both new and experienced climbers, there will be an 11-meter-high climbing wall, which will span the three upper floors. One floor will feature a giant bowl, so that adventurous skaters and bikers can drop five meters down onto the level below. As for the rooftop terrace, this will serve as a place where skaters, bikers, climbers, and boxers can go to cool off while enjoying the incredible views over the English Channel.
This one-of-a-kind building’s blueprints have been submitted for permission and if all goes according to plan, the project should be complete by the town’s next triennial in 2017. “We see this as an opportunity to put Folkestone on the map,” Hollaway explained. “To the best of our knowledge this has never been done anywhere else in the world. It’s really the first of its type.”
