Visitors to Bournemouth Pier this month are being invited to experience the iconic landmark in a completely new way, thanks to an innovative exhibition created by students from Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).
Running until 26 June 2026, Design for a Micronation transforms sections of Bournemouth Pier into a thought-provoking public gallery, showcasing speculative design concepts that reimagine the pier as an independent territory. The exhibition has been brought to life through a partnership between Adventure Attractions, operators of Bournemouth Pier, and AUB’s BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design course.
Installed directly within the fabric of the pier, the exhibition features large-scale vinyl displays, visualisations and narratives that explore how communities of the future could respond to environmental, social and economic challenges. Visitors can also enjoy a series of dynamic 10-second films created by the students, which are being showcased on the large LED screen at RockReef.
The exhibition forms part of the students’ Contemporary Environments unit, encouraging them to think beyond traditional interior spaces and explore how design can influence identity, governance, sustainability and the way people live together.
Among the featured projects are imaginative concepts created by students including Elizaveta Rimar, Keeley White and Paula Janasiak, each offering a unique vision for how Bournemouth Pier could evolve into a self-sustaining community suspended between land and sea.
James Balcazar, Group Marketing Manager at Adventure Attractions, said:
“At Adventure Attractions, we’re passionate about supporting our local community and creating opportunities for emerging talent. Bournemouth Pier has always been a place that inspires creativity, and we’re delighted to work alongside Arts University Bournemouth to provide students with a unique platform to showcase their ideas to thousands of visitors.
“This exhibition offers a fascinating new perspective on one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks while highlighting the incredible creativity and innovation coming from the next generation of designers.”
Emily Manns, Senior Lecturer in BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design at Arts University Bournemouth, added:
“The project encourages students to think beyond interiors as enclosed spaces, exploring how design can shape identity, respond to environmental challenges and imagine new ways of living.
“By situating their work on the pier itself, the projects move from concept to context, engaging directly with the public and the site that shaped them. Design for a Micronation demonstrates how interior architecture can operate as a creative and strategic practice, testing new ideas and possibilities for how we organise, inhabit and experience space.”
The exhibition is free to view and is integrated throughout Bournemouth Pier, allowing visitors to engage with the work as part of their walk along the attraction. QR codes located throughout the exhibition provide additional information about the projects and the Interior Architecture and Design course at Arts University Bournemouth.
Design for a Micronation is open daily on Bournemouth Pier until Friday 26 June 2026.