Delight.

We all know that the English summer leaves something to be desired--grey skies, damp sandwiches, biting wind and so on--yet English seaside resorts still attract their fair share of optimistic pleasure seekers. Here in windswept Blackpool, mussed hair and whipped up skirts are now a thing of the past as hardy trippers are able to seek shelter in a series of ingenious swivelling windbreaks arrayed along the south shore promenade.

Blackpool is having its own Calatrava moment brought to you by McChesney Architects who four years ago won an RIBA competition to design the windbreaks. Designed in collaboration with engineers Atelier One, the eye-catching structures form part of a series of artworks under the wider auspices of the Great Promenade Show, which aims to introduce ten sculptural features by emerging architects and designers along the 2km length of the promenade. Other installations rejoice in the titles of 'Glam Rocks', 'Water Wings' and 'They Shoot Horses Don't They?', a giant mirrorball that alludes to Blackpool's glorious ballroom past.

But back to the Lancashire Calatrava. The curved, flared form resembles a huge whale's tail stuck in the promenade. Though apparently fanciful, the shape distils the project's functional requirements, neatly incorporating a vane which physically turns the structure depending on wind direction and a baffle to shelter occupants from the wind. The single blade rises, leans and twists with supple poise and grace.

Extensive testing investigated wind direction and speed of rotation leading to the development of a full-size prototype. To resist Blackpool's whipping, salty breezes, each 8m tall shelter is manufactured from stainless steel with a bead blasted finish. The vane is mounted on a swivelling base equipped with a damper to stop the shelter from turning too quickly. An oak bench provides the finishing touch and the perfect sheltered spot for promenaders to enjoy their fish and chips. The aim is to install a trio of shelters at intervals on the promenade where they will swivel languidly in the wind, like synchronised swimmers or dancers. Beats the Costa Brava any day.