The RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Competitions Office organised this two stage international open design competition on behalf of Britain's Energy Coast (West Cumbria) and Magnus Homes, with the support of Places Matter! [the architecture centre for the Northwest]. The Britain's Energy Coast initiative aims to establish the West Coast of Cumbria as a major generator and centre of excellence in low carbon and renewable energy. Magnus Homes is an experienced house building company based in the North of England which specialises in constructing quality homes and apartments with an eye for design.

The competition was launched in July 2010 and invited architect-led teams to submit design proposals for a circa £10m mixed-use development of luxury residential apartments and high quality office accommodation on a prominent site adjacent to Whitehaven Harbour. This 0.26Ha development site represents an opportunity to continue the regeneration of Whitehaven's former working port - which has been transformed into a thriving leisure craft marina over the past decade, with significant investment in associated public realm improvements. Britain's Energy Coast (West Cumbria) has been working in partnership with Magnus Homes to support the development of this key site, since the project directly contributes to two of the organisation's top priority outcomes - improved quality of business accommodation and to improve the quality and diversity of housing.