Mechanical Bowls
Mechanical Bowls is a community bowls centre for Wapping, London. Located on the Wapping Ornamental Canal, the project aims to bring together a disconnected community through the game of bowls. Crucially Mechanical Bowls looks to re-invent the game of bowls from a static repetitive passing of time into a more versatile and engaging game.
Wapping Ornamental Canal
The bowls pitch consists of 4 different mechanisms that can be utilised to adjust the game. The mechanisms adjust the movement of the balls whilst also allowing light into the under pass below. The alteration in light conditions creates a dynamic relationship between the players and the public using the building.
Balls that fall down the trap doors and ramps are transported back to a central control unit through pressurised glass tubes on the underside of the under pass ceiling.
Comparison of how regular bowls differentiates from Mechanical Bowls. The diagram shows how the mechanisms make the game more versatile and engaging.
Mechanical Bowls is also designed to bring people together. The two games played side by side intertwine to create interactions between the two sets of players. This diagram explains two different groups of people would interact through the building.
The building consists of a base concrete retaining structure with a steel frame supporting the building.
The building incorporates 7 differently angled sun columns. The columns are angled to the sun path at different points of the sun path throughout the year. This insures the under pass is constantly illuminated and the lighting conditions are dynamic.
Ground Floor Plan
Underground changing rooms and suspended under pass public public walkway.
First Floor Plan
Reception Area, Bowls pitch and Pub
Front Section (A-A)
Through suspended staircase and changing rooms.
Back Section (B-B)
Through suspended staircase and pub area
Perspective section (C-C)
