Year: 2007
Estimate Contract value:
£ 2,000,000

Four firms of architects were invited to compete for design a new boathouse in Hackney. The brief was extensive and complex and asked for retaining of the existing structure while the extensive requirement meant that the entire area had to be utilized as well as additional floor. The design aims to ensure that the feel of the building remains primarily that of an important public building. The multiple functions are all gathered together under a large unifying roof. The roof plays an essential role in the definition of the building, with free and organic movement to allow the building to express itself. This movement is achieved through a 3-storey building turning into a 2 storeys towards the back, but with the centre remaining higher to both the front and rear of the building. However, it becomes almost vertical in order to leave the space for the existing building to breathe. The roof plays not only an important design role in placing the building in context, but at the same time becomes the core of the sustainability aspects of the proposal; it allows for the green roof to grow over it; it allows the solar heat collectors and the roof light to help with heating and light; and it allows for the collection of rainwater. The roof also responds to context by way of form and material. It becomes green not only to deal with sustainability issues, but also to correspond contextually to the green field opposite. To the other side it reaches the ground and bows to the users of the club and to the passer-by. The approach and entry to a building is always important. It is the first point of contact with the club. For this reason a large gap has been created between the proposal and the existing building which goes right through from front to back and allows both entrances to come together to the centre, where the reception desk would be. The roof over the entry area would be glazed to allow ample light into the centre of entry area.