The major project is based in The London Canal Museum, Battlebridge basin, along the Regent's Canal, London.
Built in the 1900's, the building was formally a store for ice, which was brought down from Norway by boat. Due to this, the building has two 14 meter deep Ice Wells beneath the ground where the ice was stored and kept cold to be transported around London.
The building currently houses the London Canal Museum, which is lottery funded, run voluntarily and educates visitors on the history of the Regent's Canal and its inhabitants, the Narrow Boat community. It also holds functions on the first floor including weddings and business meetings.
The Concept
The concept for this project is 'transition' as there are opposing atmospheres within the building, articularly between the first floor and the ice wells. These include heat, light and dynamic and this project looks at connecting all areas of the building together, merging the atmospheres and creating a more fluid experience.
Using this concept the design is to create a multi-functional space where the Canal Museum can hire out the design studio on the first floor to companies coming in at King's Cross, St. Pancras and Euston train stations. It will also provide a space for the loacl community to read in an underground library, exhibit work on the ground floor, hire out the space for business or special occasion and also learn about the history of the Regents Canal.
Orthographics
Ice Wells
Below ground is the library contained within the two ice wells. There are two sunken floors where visitors can sit, the shape of the seating is based on the glass floor design above. The bespoke tables have also been design to reflect the shapes created from the floor above.
Ground Floor
The ground floor will be used as an exhibition space for the local artists and schools as well as the nearby Central St. Martins University. The floor is designed with a historical reference to the buildings past, as the workmen accessed the ice via a series of wooden planks running across the top of the wells. The floor is made with steel I-beams reflecting the wooden planks, and frosted glass to allow natural light into the library below.
Design Space
Located on the first floor, the workspace has been designed to be an Island surrounded by natural light coming down from the two light wells cut out of the roof. Directly below the light wells is a glass floor on the right and an atrium on the left, allowing the natural light to continue down onto the ground floor below. The front of the building has a kitchen, dining area, break out space and W.C.s
The second floor contains two more meeting rooms for hire and storage space for any equipment or luggage to be safely kept. Here you can also see the two light wells which have been cut out of the roof, as well as the existing skylights.
Long Section of the building and Battlebridge Basin
Short Section of the building
Visuals
Library in the Ice Wells
Exhibition Area on the ground floor
Reception Desk at the entrance
Design Space on the First Floor
Details
Glass Floor
A section through the glass floor on ground level
Reception Desk
Exploded diagram of the seperate parts
Section through the desk
Foldable Staircase
Isometric of the Staircase over the horse ramp
How the stairs fold away
Section through a stair with materials
