Exeter, Devon, UK.
This new ‘Nicholas Bull’ Boathouse replaces an earlier boat-shed, giving the university’s rowing club better access to the water, plus a new purpose built space for essential maintenance work, storage and changing facilities. It greatly improves rowing facilities for Exeter and allows the students to train and compete in an ideal setting on the Exeter Canal.
Its nature and setting required the design and construction to contend with flood risk and robust usage. Being almost entirely functional, economy was essential, but nevertheless it is a well-mannered piece of architecture – a simple barrel-vaulted, single space with minimal sub-division. The roof incorporates large rooflights which provide natural daylight and also allow the un-windowed storage areas to be used occasionally for informal meetings.
