Headington School Boathouse Oxford
With a strong risk of flooding, Headington School's new Boathouse needed to be designed and built to be water compatible. It also needed to be a welcoming space, accommodate a gym, and have space for a significant amount of equipment.
SWH were delighted to work on this water compatible development, located within a flood zone.
The boathouse has a stunning location on the River Thames and provides world-class facilities for the school's rowing club.
The building is a constructed of a steel frame with reinforced concrete stilts. This elevates the building above the ground, allowing flood water to pass under the building, if required.
The mixture of steel roof frames and cantilevering structure creates the circulation spaces and gym areas, whilst maximising as much space as possible for boat storage and to accommodate all of the required equipment.
Drainage was a key consideration. The drainage system was designed and detailed to consider potential for flooding to occur on site without damaging the boathouse.
Any surface water is managed on site with filter trenches and below ground drainage, which discharges to the nearby River Thames.
In the absence of main foul water sewers, the building is served by its own sewage treatment plant, which treats the foul water and discharges safely into the River Thames, in accordance with the latest Environment Agency guidelines.
Finally, SWH was also responsible for the design of S278 highway works for the formation of a new entrance. This required consideration of existing drainage on site to be maintained and managed.
Work on the boathouse is a continuation of our longstanding relationship with Headington Rye and we are delighted to see it in use and supporting young people, sports and outdoor activities.
Learn more about the work we have done on their other school buildings >>>
