The form of the building was designed as a series of pavilions, each housing different program elements. The pavilions sit on a body of water that has been integrated into the site from the Ashton Canal. The immersion of the built form with the water means that the area around the building becomes the event space of the building and the architecture becomes the backdrop to the activity.

Three pavilions are designed to support the program of the building, one housing public facilities such as communal space and a bar, one housing the changing and storage facilities required for the kayak training and one housing the programmatic elements needed for the transport interchange such as a car park and waiting lobby.

The public pavilion and changing pavilion are aligned to establish an axis from Fairfield Road to the Ashton Canal, penetrating the site. This axis creates a dialogue between the form of the building and the concept behind the programme as it creates a link between vehicular and water transport.

This section conveys the spatial characteristics of the transport interchange pavilion are designed to mirror the different circulation within a passenger ferry. The cars are enter the basement of the pavilion through a ramp and stored at a lower level where as cyclists and pedestrians enter at ground level.

This section shows how the public bar projects over site maximizing the views over the body of water. The cantilevering bar creates a floating aesthetic creating a dialogue with the aquatic nature of the program. An underwater walkway connects the public pavilion with the changing pavilion which is supported on a series of stilts.

A visualization showing the public gallery which is elevated creating a floating aesthetic, maximizing the views across the site.

A visualization showing the stacked program of the changing cubicles mimicking the spatial quality of ship’s cabins.