Architecture 00

Architecture 00 were commissioned by Peabody in partnership with the YMCA to design and deliver a new boating club and storage facility on Southmere Lake in Thamesmead. 

The Southmere Boat Club was delivered as part of Peabody’s ongoing £225million regeneration of South Thamesmead, which provides new homes, workspace, leisure and recreation opportunities.

YMCA, the Boat Club operators, whose mission includes creating opportunities for transformative impact on young lives in their communities, see the potential of sports and leisure in supporting young people, increasing their confidence, motivation and physical skills. The primary training and education focus will be for schools and youth centres locally and further afield to learn to sail and kayak.

The Southmere Boat Club integrates with the surrounding area and wider Thamesmead regeneration, and brings life and leisure back to Southmere Lake, while providing safe and secure accommodation for the Boat Club and their students in the new, fit-for-purpose educational facility.

The building is clad in a mirror finish stainless steel, to reflect its surroundings which are designated as Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and a Site of Nature Conservation (SINC). The cladding is a combination of solid, and perforated panels, designed to maximise light and views out of internal spaces, while maintaining a secure envelope.

The final finish of the primary steel frame, and cross-bracing is galvanised steel, this exposed steelwork forms the Boat Club’s primary yardspace, which houses boats, kayaks and kit, and hosts educational activities.  Galvanised steel was chosen as an attractive, robust, hard wearing and resistant finish highly capable for the lakeside location, and water based activities.

Photographs © Jim Stephenson