THE BLUE BOAT – HAMMERSMITH
- FULLERS, SMITH AND TURNER. Bar | Design and Build
- Nov 30, 2015
- 2 min read
The Blue Boat is part of a large mixed-use modern development featuring deluxe apartments and had to correspond with the needs of the residential clientele. It was not intended just a community hub and was also seen as an opportunity for residents to connect with the wider local environment and River Thames.
As a destination venue a wide and diverse local demographic is attracted to the fantastic river location and the views of Hammersmith Bridge and The Harrods Depository.
The design brief was to introduce elements of London’s waterside heritage with a subtle but imaginative interior to serve the broad spectrum of visitor occasions.
DESIGN AND BUILD SOLUTION
The Blue Boat is an eclectic industrial nautical chic with exposed concrete ceilings and columns accented by cool metallic fixtures and softened with timber finishes.
The all day dining offer demands versatile seating areas and a mix of upcycled pieces including sofas, high seating and tables offer flexibility alongside warm wood and fixed seating booths fitted out in first class upholstery.
The famous Boat Race is celebrated amongst the vintage memorabilia and subtle boathouse styling that flows through full width bi-folding doors onto the iconic terrace that connects the venue with the famous Thames. This was key to the design and the overall scheme and is anchored by huge reclaimed lock gates that flank the entrance and act as screens to the fixed seating either side.
A splendid example of waterfront dining and drinking, this suntrap incorporates restrained wooden furniture with vibrant planting using a wide range of flora that specifically suited to the environment, as well as show planting such as large ponds and water features integrated into the fixed seating.
The finishing touch is planting bedded in a wonderfully dilapidated boat, painted blue of course.
