Unusual Projects
Houseboat - Blue Dawn
This houseboat was for a client who divides time between Central London and the South of France. I was approached to develop a design for a traditional houseboat with a twist of modernity to be moored on the Thames. As the project developed it became a full collaboration between client, myself, client developer and a marine surveyor.
A neglected Thames Lighter hull was bought from a marine yard near Rochester then moved to a dry dock at Chatham. Repaired and adapted to construct a new upper level superstructure for daytime living accommodation this new upper level allows a roof terrace for up to 40 guests accessed by a feature stair at the stern. The hull was configured to provide the sleeping and bathroom accommodation with an office / studio for the owner.
This houseboat was for a client who divides time between Central London and the South of France. I was approached to develop a design for a traditional houseboat with a twist of modernity to be moored on the Thames. As the project developed it became a full collaboration between client, myself, client developer and a marine surveyor.
A neglected Thames Lighter hull was bought from a marine yard near Rochester then moved to a dry dock at Chatham. Repaired and adapted to construct a new upper level superstructure for daytime living accommodation this new upper level allows a roof terrace for up to 40 guests accessed by a feature stair at the stern. The hull was configured to provide the sleeping and bathroom accommodation with an office / studio for the owner.
Photographs courtesy of City Marine Ltd
Click images for larger view >>
On completion of the fitout the houseboat was floated out of the boatyard and made its way down the Medway, up the Thames, timing its arrival at Tower Bridge coinciding with low tide to just squeeze under the bridge. Then past the Houses of Parliament to its final birth now moored between Wandsworth and Putney Bridges.
A really enjoyable project, a new experience for us all and such a beautiful end result.
A really enjoyable project, a new experience for us all and such a beautiful end result.
‘Rum Shack’ - Isle of Wight
I was approached to help design an outside bar that was also to have a watertight roof and be secure at night. My client was a major sponsor for Cowes Week 2017 on the Isle of Wight and this commission was to promote his quality rum imports from Grenada in the Caribbean and onward retail distribution business in the UK & Europe.
I was approached to help design an outside bar that was also to have a watertight roof and be secure at night. My client was a major sponsor for Cowes Week 2017 on the Isle of Wight and this commission was to promote his quality rum imports from Grenada in the Caribbean and onward retail distribution business in the UK & Europe.
Photographs courtesy of Nick Kingsman - Westerhall Rum
Click images for larger view >>
Cowes can be windy (hence the good sailing) and rain is not uncommon in August so although the design concept was for a ‘Rum Shack’ which wouldn’t look out of place on a sunny Caribbean beach under a blue sky without a cloud in sight, the design did need to be sufficiently substantial so that it wouldn’t be mistaken for a ‘dilapidated shed’ on a grey August day in Cowes. Built in a joinery workshop in Bramling, Kent the design also was required to be easily transportable to the Isle of Wight and once there to be quickly assembled.
All reviews were very positive - and it survived the wind and rain!
All reviews were very positive - and it survived the wind and rain!
Here are brief descriptions of just four categories of the many diverse projects I have been significantly involved.
Museums - THE HUGUENOT MUSEUM. Rochester
I was part of the design team to create a national museum and visitor venue to explain the arrival of many thousands of Huguenots arriving in Kent from mainland Europe due to their persecution by the Catholic Church. They initially settled in Canterbury and later many of them subsequently travelled via Rochester to London. Amongst other stories to tell the museum showcases their crafts skills for weaving, pewter and silverware and their general business acumen. This project was substantially Heritage Lottery Funded (HLF).
Exhibitions - GLORY OF VENICE. Royal Academy. London
My involvement for this very successful and well attended exhibition at the Royal Academy was the detail design, working drawings, specification writing, tendering and contract preparation. My efforts included the design and fabrication drawings for the display tables for the very valuable and fragile Piranesi prints and books exhibits. The tables were donated to the V&A when the Royal Academy exhibition closed.
I have been a design team member for other exhibition projects including the POP ART Exhibition also at the Royal Academy, the SAUDI ARABIAN PAVILION for Expo 1992 Seville in Spain and a design feasibility study for the museum of HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE established in a historic listed Jacobean hammer-beamed hall which is part of Cambridge University.
Retail - VIDAL SASSOON HAIR SALON. London
The detail design, builders (shop fitters) drawings, sitework and project management administration of a barbers shop for VIDAL SASSOON London W1.
Residential - Fire Station to Housing. Highgate London
Early in my career while working for one of my university tutors I was given a fantastic opportunity to help design and produce all the drawings for a very interesting project to convert an Edwardian fire station to housing. The interior of the building was completely remodelled to become three separate apartments with the sitting room for the ground floor flat being reconfigured from a cobbled garage and stables originally housing the horse drawn fire engine. Another unusual detail was that very large storage cupboards on the upper floors were each created from the original tower previously used to dry the canvas fire hoses. The project was published in the architectural press and became most helpful for my future architecture career.
Museums - THE HUGUENOT MUSEUM. Rochester
I was part of the design team to create a national museum and visitor venue to explain the arrival of many thousands of Huguenots arriving in Kent from mainland Europe due to their persecution by the Catholic Church. They initially settled in Canterbury and later many of them subsequently travelled via Rochester to London. Amongst other stories to tell the museum showcases their crafts skills for weaving, pewter and silverware and their general business acumen. This project was substantially Heritage Lottery Funded (HLF).
Exhibitions - GLORY OF VENICE. Royal Academy. London
My involvement for this very successful and well attended exhibition at the Royal Academy was the detail design, working drawings, specification writing, tendering and contract preparation. My efforts included the design and fabrication drawings for the display tables for the very valuable and fragile Piranesi prints and books exhibits. The tables were donated to the V&A when the Royal Academy exhibition closed.
I have been a design team member for other exhibition projects including the POP ART Exhibition also at the Royal Academy, the SAUDI ARABIAN PAVILION for Expo 1992 Seville in Spain and a design feasibility study for the museum of HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE established in a historic listed Jacobean hammer-beamed hall which is part of Cambridge University.
Retail - VIDAL SASSOON HAIR SALON. London
The detail design, builders (shop fitters) drawings, sitework and project management administration of a barbers shop for VIDAL SASSOON London W1.
Residential - Fire Station to Housing. Highgate London
Early in my career while working for one of my university tutors I was given a fantastic opportunity to help design and produce all the drawings for a very interesting project to convert an Edwardian fire station to housing. The interior of the building was completely remodelled to become three separate apartments with the sitting room for the ground floor flat being reconfigured from a cobbled garage and stables originally housing the horse drawn fire engine. Another unusual detail was that very large storage cupboards on the upper floors were each created from the original tower previously used to dry the canvas fire hoses. The project was published in the architectural press and became most helpful for my future architecture career.
