Floating Church
by Denizen Works
Client Diocese of London
Awards 澳门王中王 London Award 2021, 澳门王中王 National Award 2021
This project was shortlisted and was commended by the jury for the 2021 Stephen Lawrence Prize
A barge rather than a building, this mobile community facility occupies and makes use of the city鈥檚 underused canal infrastructure. The concertina roof structure is kinetic, allowing it to lie flat so that the barge can pass under bridges when moving between destinations.
Inside, there is good head height for a canal vessel, providing for a range of functions from cinema to church. A central rooflight oculus creates a pleasant pool of light to the main function area, complemented by the transparent sides of the pop up roof which let in additional daylight.
The joinery details are neutral and carefully considered to allow sufficient storage. Where there is decoration, it features Art Deco design motifs and patterning finished to a high quality.
The Art Deco theme is continued on the outside through the colour scheme and horizontal stripes. When illuminated from the inside at night, the pop up roof glows like a beacon.
The scheme was conceived as a product rather than a traditional building and has successfully maximised all the space inside and around the boat. Its flexibility of uses ensures that it can fulfil its brief to be a vital community asset for the neighbourhoods along the London canal network.
Internal Area 45 m虏
Contractor Turks Shipyard
Marine Fit Out ANR Developments
Naval Architect Tucker Designs
Sailmaker Jeckells the Sailmakers
Furniture Designers Plyco
Lighting Design Arup
Consulting Engineer Elliot Wood
Junior Consultant ATB
