La Vallette Bathing Pools, Guernsey A coastal community oasis brought back to life
La Vallette Bathing Pools, Guernsey A coastal community oasis brought back to life
| Locaton | Guernsey |
|---|---|
| Designer | DLM Architects, led by architect David De La Mare |
La Vallette Bathing Pools restoration with Millboard Envello cladding
Perched on the rocky coastline of St Peter Port, La Vallette Bathing Pools have been part of island life since 1844. Once Guernsey’s first seawater bathing pool, the site had slipped into disrepair, its concrete weathered by relentless tides and Atlantic storms. Today, it has been reimagined as a calm, contemporary retreat that welcomes everyone, all year round. Millboard decking and cladding play a quiet but important role in that transformation, helping the architecture sit comfortably within its dramatic coastal setting.
Reviving a much-loved Guernsey landmark
Owned by The States of Guernsey, the pools have long been cherished by local swimmers. As the harbor expanded over the decades, La Vallette became a refuge for sea bathing when nearby beaches were interrupted by development. By the late 2010s, however, the buildings and infrastructure around the pools were tired and failing, no longer reflecting the energy and affection the community felt for the place.
In 2019, a not-for-profit charitable trust was formed with a clear ambition: to create a vibrant and accessible destination that the whole community could enjoy. The States of Guernsey committed significant funding, with the remaining investment raised through corporate sponsorship, grants and private donations. This shared effort set the tone for the project. It was never about imposing something new, but about carefully renewing what people already loved.
A design shaped by landscape, weather and community
Local practice DLM Architects, led by architect David De La Mare, were appointed through a public-private community proposal. Their task was to design a facility that felt rooted in the rocky outcrop while respecting the emotional connection of around 600 regular swimmers. The concept evolved directly from the site’s topography and climate, knitting the new elements into the cliff and introducing a clean, linear elevation that frames the pools below.
The existing building was stripped back and its lower-level footprint retained. Within this, DLM reconfigured the spaces to create modern changing facilities and a covered shower route that remains open even when the main building is closed. The adjacent granite boardwalk was raised to provide level access, and a ramp into the pools now ensures that all areas are fully accessible, whatever the tide or weather.
Above the changing rooms, an exposed concrete structure now houses a community café. Inside, timber waves ripple across the ceiling, softening acoustics and echoing the movement of the sea beyond the glazing. To the south, a pavilion offers external seating, designed by DLM and built by the Guernsey Prison team, served by a kiosk connected directly to the kitchen.
At the upper level of the site, a lightweight glazed pavilion opens onto terraced landscaping. This space can flex from quiet lookout to busy events venue, hosting everything from community gatherings to wellness sessions, all against the backdrop of the open sea.
Choosing materials for a demanding coastal environment
From the outset, robustness and longevity were central to the specification. The building sits just meters from the waterline, exposed to salt spray, UV, high winds and heavy footfall in all seasons. Materials needed to perform technically without losing their refined appearance.
Millboard Envello Shadow Line+ resin mineral composite cladding in Limed Oak was chosen to clad the covered changing area, parts of the upper pavilion and sections of the café floor zone. The subtle, sun-bleached tone of Limed Oak echoes timber weathered by sea air, helping the new architecture feel naturally at home among the granite and surf.
Unlike traditional timber , Millboard cladding will not rot, splinter ,or warp, even in constant contact with salt and spray. Its surface is designed to provide exceptional slip resistance, which is particularly important around bathing and circulation areas where wet surfaces are the norm. The cladding’s resin mineral composition also offers exceptional resistance to fading, helping the subtle color and grain remain consistent despite strong coastal sunlight.
For the client and design team, the low maintenance profile of Millboard products was a major advantage. In an exposed environment where ongoing upkeep can be disruptive and expensive, choosing surfaces that do not require regular sanding, painting, staining or sealing helps protect both the building’s appearance and operational budgets.
Layering in stories of community and craft
Alongside Millboard decking and cladding, the project incorporates other carefully chosen materials that speak to the community story. One powerful detail is the use of 100 percent recycled plastic Millboard Plas-Pro (subframe) battens to clad the changing rooms. Each board carries the engraved names of supporters who donated skills or funds, creating an enduring, tactile record of the collective effort behind the scheme.
Inside, the palette of concrete, timber, glazing and Limed Oak Millboard cladding surfaces creates a calm, coastal atmosphere. The warm tone of the cladding softens the robust structure, while the clean shadow lines give rhythm to walls and soffits. It is a building that feels resilient and hardworking, but also quietly restorative, a place where swimmers can warm up over a coffee while watching waves break against the harbor wall.
Recognised for design, celebrated by the community
Since reopening, La Vallette Bathing Pools have become a year-round destination rather than a seasonal attraction. Locals and visitors now come not only to swim, but to meet friends, attend events, or simply sit and enjoy the horizon from the café or terraces. The redesign has helped the site become a true community hub, promoting health, connection and time in nature.
The project has also attracted attention far beyond the island. La Vallette has been recognized in local and national awards programmed, including a Royal Institute of British Architects regional award for the South East. Judges praised the way the architecture integrates with the landscape and highlighted the positive impact on both the community and the environment.
For DLM Architects, that blend of social value and design quality has always been front nd center. Managing Director David De La Mare has spoken of the honor of seeing the project recognized alongside some of the biggest names in UK architecture, but is clear that the most meaningful reward is the response from the people who use the pools every day.
Visitors have been quick to comment on the look and feel of the external facade, often asking what material has been used on the cladding and exposed floor areas. As De La Mare notes, Millboard products have answered the brief for a coastal environment that is beautiful, hard wearing and easy to live with, helping to ensure that La Vallette can continue to welcome future generations.
Bring coastal confidence to your next project
If you are working on a coastal or waterside scheme and need surfaces that combine design freedom with robust performance, Millboard products can help you create spaces that feel as good as they look, season after season.
- Order a sample to explore our Envello Shadow Line+ profiles and other Millboard products up close.
- Visit a Millboard Experience Centre to see coastal-inspired applications in person and speak to our team.
- View more case studies to discover how designers are using Millboard decking and cladding across the UK and beyond.
Sunset on the St. Croix
The Contour Garden
