Competition set to breathe new life into London's Docklands

28 May 2009

British Waterways, in partnership with H20 Urban Ltd, has today announced the winners of a competition to remodel five historic Spits Barges to create an exceptional mixed use scheme in London's Docklands.

The winning practices have been announced as:

• BACA - an award winning research led practice noted for their work around climate change and flooding, and;
• PCKO - also an award winning practice, noted for their work in creating attractive buildings that respect the environment and utilise innovative technology.

Both submissions impressed the judges with their ability to challenge traditional perceptions of waterspace design, whilst retaining continuity with the commercial past of the Barges and their surroundings.

Discussing BACA’s submission the judges, chaired by British Waterways’ London Director, Mark Bensted said: “The approach demonstrated design flare and variety with considerable thought given to the three main areas of animation; the dockside, the urban space around the barges and the on-deck space.”

Whilst PCKO impressed with: “An innovative and adaptable design which creates a new urban realm and landmark space with the surrounding decking.”

The Barges, a combination of Belgian Spits and French Peniches, started life as commercial boats, carrying their cargo along the waterways of mainland Europe. They were given an opportunity to become a part of this new scheme in London Docklands when British Waterways’ London Director, Mark Bensted and Docklands Manager, Dennis Fink spotted the potential of using these types of barges in Docklands and travelled to the Netherlands to purchase a series of barges to be remodelled. The barges were brought across the North Sea and to a new home in South Quay, London Docklands.

The competition forms part of a wider initiative to revitalise the waterspace in London’s Docklands. Currently the waterways of Docklands are under utilised, and whilst they provide visual interest, they could provide a far better amenity for the neighbourhoods they serve.

British Waterways, working with partners including Tower Hamlets Council and Sir Terry Farrell, is leading a vision for the area that will see the waterways maximised as a space for more activity, with improved links and landscaping around and across the docks. These principles have already been embraced by Martha Schwartz in her visionary waterside landscape plans for the Wood Wharf scheme.

Jim Fitzpatrick MP for Poplar and Canning Town said: “This is an exciting time for the waterspaces of London’s Docklands. Integral to the character and heritage of the area, these historic docks and channels provide a neighbourhood resource offering a canvas for arts, leisure, business and the environment. Development of the area must embrace these waterspaces and encourage further use of the water as an amenity for all.”

Submissions from shortlisted practices, Brid Carr Architecture and Amin Taha, will be displayed alongside the winners and other entrants as part of the month long exhibition, ‘BARGE - breathing new life into Docklands’, running at the NLA from Thursday 28 May to Saturday 27 June.

Ends

For more press information contact:
Gill Owen t 020 7985 7227 e gill.owen@britishwaterways.co.uk m 07733124580

Notes to editors:

British Waterways cares for and manages 100 miles of canals and rivers and 110 acres of docks in London. As a not-for-dividend public corporation it works with a broad range of public, private and voluntary sector partners to unlock the potential of the inland waterways for the benefit of the millions who visit and care for them. www.britishwaterways.co.uk

For further information about enjoying the capital’s canals and rivers in your leisure time visit www.waterscape.com.

H20 Urban Ltd is a joint venture vehicle between bloc and British Waterways set up to regenerate selected sites adjacent to the rivers and canals maintained by British Waterways. Together we have the knowledge, imagination and vision to develop waterside schemes that maximise land value and create quality working, leisure and living environments. www.h20urban.co.uk.

The NLA www.newlondonarchitecture.org The Building Centre. 26 Store Street, London WC1E? 7BT. For all enquiries, call 020 7636 4044 or email info@newlondonarchitecture.org