Architecture students Musab Umair, Malavika Sethubaskaran, Meghna Kumar and Umran Hameed present an inventive and exciting design concept for the kiosks in Portsmouth Historic Dockyards.
Introduction
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a renowned maritime heritage site on the south coast of England. It is one of the oldest and most significant naval dockyards in the world, steeped in over 800 years of naval history. Its strategic location on the Solent, a key naval route, made it an ideal place for shipbuilding, repairs, and maintenance. Today, the Dockyard’s historical, architectural, and cultural significance continues to attract visitors from all around the globe.
Boathouse architecture has evolved from its utilitarian origins to become a sophisticated and varied field. Modern boathouse designs aim to balance functionality with aesthetic appeal, integrating advanced technologies and sustainable practices to meet the needs of contemporary users. Whether for recreational use or as part of a commercial waterfront development, boathouses are a vital aspect of waterfront architecture.
Historical significance
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has been a pivotal site for the Royal Navy since the late 12th century. Over the centuries, the dockyard has played a lucrative role in several historical events:
Tudor era: King Henry VII established the first dry dock in Portsmouth in 1495, marking the beginning of its transformation into a major naval base. The dockyard was instrumental in the construction of Mary Rose, the flagship of Henry VIII, which was launched in 1511.
Napoleonic Wars: During the early 19th century, Portsmouth was a central hub for the Royal Navy’s operations against Napoleon’s forces. The dockyard was a hive of activity, building and maintaining warships crucial for Britain’s naval dominance.
Victorian era and beyond: The Industrial Revolution brought technological advancements, leading to the construction of ironclad warships. The dockyard continued to expand, incorporating new techniques and facilities to keep up with modern naval demands.
Architectural and cultural importance
The architecture of the Historic Dockyard reflects its long and varied history. The site includes Georgian and Victorian-era buildings, dry docks, workshops, and warehouses, many of which are preserved as part of the UK’s national heritage. These structures provide a tangible link to the past, showcasing the evolution of naval engineering and dockyard operations.
Contemporary role and preservation
Today, the Historic Dockyard is a vibrant heritage site dedicated to preserving and showcasing Britain’s naval legacy. It serves as an educational resource, offering guided tours, interactive exhibits, and educational programs for visitors of all ages. The site also hosts special events, reenactments, and temporary exhibitions, ensuring that the dockyard remains an active and engaging attraction.
Conclusion
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a cornerstone of Britain’s maritime heritage, offering a fascinating journey through centuries of naval history. From the majestic HMS Victory to the innovative HMS Warrior, the dockyard encapsulates the evolution of naval warfare and shipbuilding. Its preservation and ongoing role as a heritage site ensure that future generations can continue to explore and appreciate the rich history of the Royal Navy.
Site Landmarks:
- Victory Gate Entrance
- Ticket Office
- HMS Warrior
- Boathouse 4
- Mast Pond
- Boathouse 7
- Portsmouth Harbour Tours
The initial stage
During the conceptualization of this project, we used abstraction to explore form and function. The primary outline of the kiosk is achieved by abstracting the dominant part of the historic ships into triangular forms. Blending seamlessly with the triangular framework, organic curves, the subdominant part of the boat, will soften the edges and create an inviting silhouette. These curves will reflect the ever-changing nature of the sea and provide a sense of flow and movement. The design concept as a whole embodies the fluidity of water and the strength of maritime structures, harmonizing history with modernity.
The design process
Designing an art gallery, café, and handicraft workshop in a historically significant space requires a careful approach that honours the building’s heritage and surroundings. Before starting the renovation, it is important to understand the history of space. That is why researching the original architecture, previous uses, and any historical events associated with the building will inform us of our renovation and design decisions. This knowledge will help us develop a plan determining the layout of the gallery, selecting appropriate lighting, flooring, and wall finishes, and considering any necessary structural changes.
Designing a logo
Designing a logo is a critical aspect of establishing a brand’s identity. A well-designed logo serves as a visual representation of the brand and communicates its industry and values. The logo must be distinctive enough to be associated with its context and history, while avoiding trends that may fade, for a timeless appeal. With the Dockyard’s historic structures in mind, we came up with an idea and drafted patterns for a timeless logo that would reflect its identity as shown in the images on the left.
Material selection
Glass reinforced plastic (GPR): A versatile and valuable material in architecture, providing durability and design flexibility that traditional materials often cannot match. Its application ranges from structural components to intricate fades and interior designs, making it a popular choice for modern architectural projects.
Concrete: Concrete remains important in modern architecture and construction, offering significant strength and versatility. Ongoing innovations in concrete technology continue to boost its sustainability and performance, ensuring its continued prominence in the building industry.
Timber: Timber is a crucial and versatile material in many industries due to its strength, workability, and natural beauty. Its sustainability, when properly managed, makes it an environmentally friendly choice for a wide range of applications.
Rope: Both functional and aesthetically pleasing, rope plays a key part in tensile structures and decorative facades and interactive installations. Its properties and adaptability make it a valuable resource in contemporary design and enhances its appeal in eco-conscious architectural practices.
Metal: Metal is an indispensable material in the construction industry with its design flexibility and strength. Used in the framework of skyscrapers and detailed architectural elements, metal is a good material choice for both robust and visually pleasing designs.
Research
Research into boathouses and dockyards involves a multidisciplinary approach that combines historical analysis, architectural study, and an understanding of contemporary challenges and opportunities. By examining these structures’ past and present, we can appreciate their significance and contribute to their preservation and adaptation for future generations. As a group of four researchers, we worked in a supportive, collaborative environment where we could share ideas and play to our strengths. Our findings are below.
Dockyard history and Boathouse 4 history (Meghna):
The Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth holds great importance to Britain’s illustrious maritime history. Not only does the site offer a window into the past, but also serves as an educational tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors annually. Among its historical structures, Boathouse 4 holds particular significance. The challenge of designing a new kiosk within Boathouse 4, intended as a ticket counter for the water bus and harbour tour, presented an opportunity to explore how modern functionality could be integrated without compromising the site’s cultural heritage. This reflective essay explores the design process and the challenges encountered, focusing on balancing historical conservation with improving visitor experience.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Boathouse 4 are key parts of Britain’s naval history. The Dockyard’s centuries-long contribution to naval power and maritime innovation is complemented by Boathouse 4’s specific role during World War II and its current function as a heritage and educational centre. Together, they preserve and celebrate the rich maritime legacy, ensuring it remains accessible and engaging for all.
Cost-effective solutions (Musab):
By leveraging cost-effective solutions, projects within historic dockyards can ensure that financial resources are used efficiently while maintaining the cultural and architectural significance of historic sites.
We had to investigate budget-friendly design options without compromising the quality and functionality of the kiosk. ·We also looked at creative ways to repurpose existing materials or structure to minimize costs while achieving maximum impact. GRP is a composite material made up of a polymer matrix reinforced with glass fibres. This combination imparts a remarkable strength-to-weight ratio to the material, making it an ideal candidate for various applications, including kiosk construction. The composition of GRP means that it is strong, lightweight, weather/corrosion resistant, and customisable.
Precedent study of kiosk design at Portsmouth Historic Dockyards (Umran):
The design of kiosks in historic dockyards should include using complementary materials, ensuring flexibility in use, and maintaining a design that is sensitive to the historical context. Kiosks should be functional, adaptable, and designed to ensure they can effectively serve visitors in various settings. They should also prioritize user experience, and be designed with maintenance and upkeep in mind to ensure they remain functional and visually appealing over the years.
Articles on designing within historic context (Malavika):
The first paper discusses the importance of infill structures within historic contexts, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between new buildings and their surroundings. It highlights several key indicators to consider when designing such structures: Scale (size and visual impact), Land-use (location and historical context), Form, Materials, Details, and Pattern. The second paper discusses the methods of incorporating designs into historic contexts, focusing on analysing existing facades nearby. This involves studying the composition, rhythm of elements such as windows and gables, and attempting to hierarchize these elements to integrate new designs seamlessly into the historical environment
Project Name: The Portside POD
Providers Name: Musab Umair, Malavika Sethubaskaran, Meghna Kumar, Umran Hameed.
Tutor Name: Milena Metalkova-Markova, Ph.D., SFHEA
Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture
All images courtesy of the project team.
