No one going to deny, that river Thames played crucial role throughout the history of London. The city itself exists thanks to a river - Romans in 2nd century arrived by sea and built in Thames estuary first fortress and trading port. It was founded because of the river and on the river.
It provided strategic marine transport route/infrastructure and fresh water supply - vital factors, required for successful civilisation development.
Until now it remains major city brand, strategic supplier and transport route. All the main city vistas, landmarks and postcard views capture it. Despite of that fact, that river itself cuts city into two pieces, it links those disconnected shores together with it’s body. And there is no doubt without Thames - there would be no London.
Thames Museum exists today as a project without permanent accommodation.
www.thamesmuseum.org
www.thamesmuseum.org
There are so many fascinating museums and exhibitions in London open to the public, but it’s a shame and feels a bit unfair, that such a wonderful project had not found permanent residence to move in yet.
As part of the tribute London city authorities should contribute, support and help to find proper headquarters for the museum, history of London so close related with.
As part of the tribute London city authorities should contribute, support and help to find proper headquarters for the museum, history of London so close related with.
Purpose of this concept design exercise shown below - to find best location for museum and solve existing issues on Themes River Banks, appreciating history, context and revealing hidden potential of the site
Context analysis
South Bank of Thames is much more popular as a public attractor for Londoners and tourists. It has generous green areas adjacent to it, lots of cultural facilities located on it's route such as Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, London Eye etc... It is pedestrian friendly almost all the way through and public access provided to the waterfront pretty much everywhere. Northern Bank is less popular, despite of that fact that it's facing south sunny side - such a precious resource in this country. One of the reasons why it's less attractive - lack of public anchors on this route + connectivity issues in few particular areas. One of them - Queens Quay
Queens Hithe is one of the oldest antient monuments on Thames River banks - it's silhouette recognisable on all of the maps of the city.
This place used to be vibrant important transportation node, served as a hub to deliver goods to city residents from the sea. It's been serving as a quay for centuries and now stays abandoned and underused. It is no longer used as a bay and most of the time stays dry during low tide on Thames.
This place used to be vibrant important transportation node, served as a hub to deliver goods to city residents from the sea. It's been serving as a quay for centuries and now stays abandoned and underused. It is no longer used as a bay and most of the time stays dry during low tide on Thames.
Massive difference between Low and High tides on Thames (up to 8 meters) makes it difficoult to interact with water. Banks also need to protect city from flood
Current pedestrian route along embankment in this area is probably one of the weakest points on the Northern Bank designated footpath. People have no access to waterfront and need to go back to the highway, follow the loop shown below to continue their journey through the Bank.
Proposed alternative link facing waterfront and introduces opportunity to bring life back to Queenhithe.
Yes, it is the oldest dock remaining on Thames River, but it's current condition looks really frustrating. Isn't it better to allow this place to tell it's own story, open it's archeological layers to the public and bring water back to the public use here, though in slightly different way?
Previously intense used and current condition
3 new key components:
1. Continious waterfront pedestrian friendly embankment
2. Thames River Museum opens site's rich history to the public, combines memory, tribute and contemporary use as educational facility
3. Public lido on top of the museum combines "water theme" with historical intense use - site becomes public attraction again
Key exhibit - "Thames screen" - inverse fish bowl - window, showing river elevation changing twice a day (high - low tide). Experience, allowing viewer to explore river from the inside, reflecting living pulse of the city of London
Archaeological layers, reflecting rich history of the oldest ancient monument of the city will convey the story about role of the river in it's past, revealing mysteries, that currently hidden below ground
Decent difference between high and low tide allows to use space in two layers: Northern bank public route etension and museum below + lido with infinity edge on top of it.
+ Existing buidings, surrounding quay are currently under construction and will be redeveloped to Queensbridge House Hotel by Dexter Moren Associates © (as shown on a right view below)
Current museum moto:
Thames Museum ©
"Where history changes twice a day"
www.thamesmuseum.org
