Eight finalists have been selected for an international beach hut design competition in Boscombe, England. Part of a government-funded regeneration scheme to enhance the seaside destination (other initiatives include more architectural commissions and the construction of Europe’s first artificial surf reef), the competition elicited 173 submissions from as far as Japan, Canada and Peru.
The new huts will be the first in the U.K. to be accessible to disabled users. Finalist Reinier de Jong’s design, for example, maximizes both the indoor and outdoor space around the huts to create a flexible all-weather structure. Featuring a kitchen, storage room and patio, the glass and wood design maximizes daylight while offering privacy.
All of the entries will be on public display in the town’s shop windows on Monday, and the entries not selected as finalists remain on exhibit until the end of September, when the winning design will be announced.