Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse Cumbria, Lake District Architecture Competition, Building architects

Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse : Cumbrian Architecture Contest

Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse Development in Cumbria, northwest England, UK

1 Apr 2011

A ‘Preferred Scheme’ has been selected in the competition organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Competitions Office for a new Clubhouse Building for Ullswater Yacht Club in Cumbria.

Ullswater Yacht Club Competition

The design by Carlisle based Architects Plus (UK) Ltd was chosen from over 180 entries as the judges’ preferred scheme. With its curved form designed to give panoramic 360o views of the lake and the surrounding fells, Architects Plus’s design stood out as an iconic response to the brief that satisfied the club’s functional requirements, as well as flood, size and cost criteria.

The competition was launched in December last year, setting architects the challenge of designing a new Clubhouse capable of withstanding flooding, and providing increased and improved accommodation. Ullswater Yacht Club is located in the heart of the Lake District National Park, and is unrivalled in its facilities both on and off the water. Their Clubhouse suffered extensive damage in the floods of November 2009 and although structural repairs have enabled the club to continue to function they decided to proceed with Conceptual and Feasibility studies for a new building.

The Club’s Management Committee have already endorsed the ‘Preferred Scheme’ and over the Easter weekend this will be shown to the Members. Once this process is complete Architects Plus will be confirmed as winners.

Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse Competition information from RIBA

17 Mar 2011

Ullswater Yacht Club House Design

Entry by LDN Architects

‘Our concept is simple but sophisticated. We would aim to create a clubhouse that is dignified, practical and modern but with a strong regional identity that sits harmoniously in the landscape. The plan is organised to work in a natural flow of activities placing clubroom and offices on top of an inhabited plinth, taking advantage of the fantastic views across Ullswater and lifting vulnerable rooms above the highest recorded flood level.

Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse design images by LDN Architects

The sculptural form of the building is created through the extrusion of the gable over the plan which expands and contracts to accommodate requirements off the brief. The accommodation pivots at the point of the race office creating panoramic views over the water for race officials and spectators. The proposal creates a range of dynamic spaces fulfilling the brief and providing spaces suitable for a range of external functions, and use by the local community.

The principle level accommodation is arranged around the main club area which is orientated westwards towards Ullswater. The club area is served by the kitchen/bar and WC’s to the east of the space with the race office and administration rooms orientated to the west of the main club area.

These offices appear as pods with the spaces between office accommodation being utilized as sheltered balconies for spectators to enjoy the water sports come rain or shine. The deep plan of the club area is lit through an overhead sky light which runs along the east side of the ridge line creating a light and airy environment.

The basement level is directly accessed via a ramp to the north of the club house or directly from the principle level above via the stair and wheel chair access is provided through a platform lift. This level primarily houses changing and storage facilities.

The finishes in the basement consist of the exposed the fair faced concrete of the substructure which can withstand flooding and for ease of cleaning can be power washed during post flood clean-up. The floor sits above the substructure in the form a teak timber boards fixed to stainless steel grating to allow water to dissipate though the floor and outside via the drainage slots which puncture the basement walls.

Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse design – images by LDN Architects

The building is organised in three layers; a robustly made concrete storey of lower ground floor accommodation resistant to periodic flooding and drying out; a main level of club and meeting room accommodation clad in timber; and a roof which follows the plan in an elegant sweep of slate clad planes. The structural system suggested for the superstructure is a series of solid timber panels or ‘Brettstapel’.

This type of construction, much used in Europe, is being used more frequently in the UK. Made with solid sections of softwood form renewable sources, ‘Brettstapel’ is a highly sustainable form of construction which is economic way creating medium sized column free spaces and elegant roof shapes which we think would be highly appropriate for a building of this size and type.’

Project Title: Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse Design
Client: Ullswater Yacht Club Architect: LDN Architects
Location: Ullswater
Status: Competition Entry

16 Mar 2011

Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse Design by Sutherland Hussey

Entry by Sutherland Hussey Architects

Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse design – images from architects

10 Mar 2011

Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse Entry by studio octopi

Entry by studio octopi

RIBA Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse Competition

The waves of the lake push and pull; you are gently drawn towards the spectacular expanse of Ullswater by the rolling terrain, while the exposed landscape demands respite from the elements. The new UYC Clubhouse seeks to address the dual character of the building’s brief by relocating to higher ground at the north of the site, with a separate Race Office by the water’s edge.

Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse design – images from architects

This strategy defines the Clubhouse as the heart of a confluence of routes and streams of activities in the landscape. The building itself articulated as a light timber box lifted to safety by a protective bed of rocks and stones.

Arrivals take place at the centre of the lateral plan: on the upper floor a raised walkway leads newcomers in from the road into a familiar, almost domestic realm for members. The changing facilities are located on the lower level with immediate access to the waterfront. An open stair provides a spatial connection between floors. The internal organisation places rooms along the eastern edge, opening the dining and cafe area to the panorama of the lake.

The site gently slopes towards the lake presenting the spectacular expanse of Ullswater. You are drawn to the water immersed in the rolling terrain; simultaneously you retreat, seeking respite from the elements.

The new UYC Clubhouse is relocated to sit on higher ground to the north of the site with a separate Race Office by the water. This strategy protects the building from rising flood waters and sets up a tiered landscape of defined spaces between the two buildings, reinforcing the relationship between the spectators and the sailing.

You arrive in the centre of the long plan; the main club facilities are placed on the upper floor with a raised walkway guiding newcomers from the road. The open plan space faces out to the surrounding landscape with spectacular views from the raised siting. The changing facilities are located on the lower level with direct access to the waterfront. An open stair provides a spatial connection between the floors.

The Clubhouse is articulated as a light timber box lifted to safety by a protective bed of rocks and stones. The building has a strong horizontal emphasis, each elevation conversing with the varied dynamics of the site. Its proportions build a powerful relationship with the expanse of the lake, operating as a point of focus for the confluence of paths and activities.

Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse Entry images / information from studio octopi

The Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse shortlist of 5 architects and winner has yet to be announced

Previously:

10 Dec 2010

New Competition – Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Competitions Office has been appointed to organise a design competition for a new Clubhouse Building for a Yacht Club in Cumbria.

Ullswater Yacht club is located in the heart of the Lake District National Park, on the north east shore of the beautiful lake Ullswater, England’s second largest lake. The Club is unrivalled in its facilities both on and off the water, providing easy access for dinghies and keelboats, and a sailing area. The Clubhouse suffered extensive damage in the floods of November 2009 and although structural repairs have enabled the club to continue to function since, the long-term view is that a new Clubhouse is needed.

In addition to providing the club with a facility capable of withstanding future flooding, a new building will also provide increased and improved accommodation for an increasing club membership.

The competition will seek design concepts for the new 500 sqm (approx) building, providing the club with a functional, welcoming, practical and flexible facility that through its architectural features will take into account associated flood risk.

The competition is open to UK architects and the brief is available to download from www.architecture.com/competitions from 10th December. The deadline for submission of designs is 15th February 2011.

Ullswater Yacht Clubhouse Competition information from RIBA

Location: Ullswater, Cumbria, Lake District, north west England, UK

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