New St. Petersburg Pier by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): It is amazing how something so everyday and recognizable as a loop-dee-loop can amaze and inspire us. Just a subtle change makes all the difference, no longer is it the straw wrapping that we play with rather than discard, not is is become something. Now it’s heavy duty, and it’s more real to us- understandable, straw wrappings get thrown out, we usually only throw out buildings that were built in the ’70s.
Courtesy of BIG Architects
The firm Mesh Architecture collaborated with BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) for this competition entry, titled Wave Pier, to design the new St. Petersburg Pier in St. Petersburg, Florida. Below is the description given of the project by Mesh Architecture. Enjoy!
Courtesy of BIG Architects
Teaming with BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) for the competition to design a new St. Petersburg Pier, Mesh Architecture was excited to participate in the design process for the proposed Wave Pier. The design is conceived as a strong character on the skyline and waterline of St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay. Its characteristic wave and curves lend themselves to an array of activities around and within: a view point, a pavilion, a band shell, a boat pier, a market place, a banquet hall, an exhibition space, a beach, a boardwalk, a stage and an audience.
Courtesy of BIG Architects
Its strong form and generous spaces can accommodate a multitude of programs. Its sculptural exterior creates a series of public spaces: the rooftop outlook on the break of the wave, the spectator stands in the curl of the wave, the covered stage under the arch of the loop and the beach as the pier dives into the water. Within the thickness of the wave a cascade of programmable spaces form a single loop. Over time its spaces can be combined or partitioned to suit the needs and opportunities for the city and its citizens.
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.