Escape to the beach: building the perfect sandcastle

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Summer may feel like it has well and truly finished, but hopefully those across the sector managed to escape to the beach. Here, four professionals from across the sector detail how to build the perfect sandcastle

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Leanne Baird, head of marketing, BW: Workplace Experts

(Illustration - Hanna Brown)

The base build is crucial to the success of the fit out. So firstly, you need to make sure you have a really solid foundation. You should spend 50% of your time on this.

Next, you need to make sure the sand is the right consistency, slightly damp so it sticks well and forms solid base. You also need to make sure the sand is levelled off so it isn鈥檛 likely to fall once additional layers are added. The location is also crucial as you need to make sure your hard work won鈥檛 wash away.

Finally, you need to work closely with the design team to make sure their vision is correctly executed in the build. Like all good fit out projects, the detail is very important. It also needs to be Defect Free to ensure it secures the title of perfect sandcastle.

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Gail Royston, intermediate cost manager, Bruceshaw

Like any building, choosing the correct landscape is critical to the success of your dream sandcastle. Choosing a beach with the correct type of sand and a beautiful view will be key. Going to the beaches of Brighton and Hove may present a beautiful view, however the terrain of pebbles will not be useful in creating a sturdy sandcastle. Look for a beach that has compactible and mouldable sand to create your perfect sandcastle. Camber Sands in East Sussex has the ideal grainy sand and impressive dunes that will protect your dream sandcastle from storms.

Once you have your location and the perfect material you can start your impressive sandcastle.

1. To ensure your dream sandcastle has a long lifespan, make sure your chosen location is far away from the tide mark to so it doesn鈥檛 get swept away. Also keep it off the beaten track & away from people playing football or frisbee.

2. Procurement is key. Having the correct buckets and spades will give you the biggest chance to make your sandcastle the very best structure. Ensuring the best team is around you to will also help lead you into sandcastle history.

3. Excavate the patch of land where your sandcastle will be laid and make the ground below it even and flat.

4. Create a hard foundation by combining some sea water with sand and patting it down compressing the sand into a hard 鈥榮lab鈥�.

5. Find the right mix of sand and water to make a cement like material to fill a sandcastle bucket. Compact it and flip it over so the bottom of the bucket is on the foundation.

6. Remove the bucket to reveal your first sandcastle tower.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until you have all the towers your heart desires.

Think about adding extensions, like a moat or bridge and embellish with flags and shells, making your sandcastle as dazzling as possible.

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Paul Stanley, head of investment, Coplan

As specialists in mix-use developments, undoubtably our sandcastle would have to be true to form. Location is our first consideration - it is essential for our sandcastle be close to public transport links, so it is easily accessible for visitors and also quick and simple for our residents to get around.

Our design would need something for everyone, incorporating residential, retail, convenience facilities and even hospitality options - for the local crabs.

If a tall sandcastle design fits in with the other structures on the beach, then it鈥檚 not a problem going high and using up less ground area. Our sandcastle would be a maximum of six levels, so no views of the beach are spoilt for those behind it. We will need to ensure that the mix-use scheme is future-proven to cope with the multitude of challenges that arise during the development process. For example, locating our sandcastle far enough away from the tide when it comes in!

HPF_sandcastle[1]

Peter Gaston, associate director, Hurley Palmer Flatt Australia

As an electrical engineer, I find the key to an building an great sandcastle is that the sand has to have exactly the same water content (not too wet, not to dry) and must be well compacted! There鈥檚 some connection with semi-conductors somewhere in that! This picture is of a recent creation I built with my daughter Heidi whilst on holiday in Queensland. My take on a botanical garden.