Richmond Walk Marine Works
Design Intent and Architectural Significance
Richmond Walk Marine Works is a coastal regeneration project that responds to the environmental, social, and industrial conditions of Plymouth’s seafront. Positioned on a site marked by a 3-metre terrain drop and decades of marine abandonment, the design aims to re-establish the area as a productive and community-facing space rooted in the city’s boatbuilding heritage.
The project unites three core functions—fabrication, education, and exhibition—within a single, integrated scheme. At its heart lies a large-format warehouse for boat assembly and repair, directly linked to the sea via a mechanical lift system. Surrounding this are a public exhibition gallery, a timber-framed reception area, a multi-storey core building with fabrication workshops, staff spaces, and administrative offices. This spatial organisation allows for a clear separation between public access and high-risk industrial zones, while still preserving visual connections through features such as an internal vide overlooking the workshop.
Architecturally, the building draws from tectonic clarity and material honesty. A hybrid structural system of CLT, glulam beams, marine-rated steel, and Porotherm blocks is used to respond to coastal exposure, meet structural and fire-safety requirements, and express the project’s sustainable ethos. Glazing, shading fins, and overhangs are strategically employed to maximise daylight while mitigating glare and overheating.
The design seeks to revive the cultural identity of Richmond Walk as a working waterfront by giving visibility to marine craft and the knowledge systems behind them. Simultaneously, it addresses ecological concerns by embedding circular material thinking, long-term adaptability, and environmental buffering in its core design logic. Ultimately, the goal is to demonstrate that contemporary marine infrastructure can be contextual, low-impact, and publicly engaging, offering both a working yard and a civic platform.
Professional Practice and Technical Delivery
The project is supported by a robust professional framework grounded in current UK legislation and RIBA Work Stages. It was developed in accordance with the Building Regulations 2010, CDM Regulations 2015, and the Building Safety Act 2022, with a full fire strategy, access strategy, and environmental response shaped accordingly. Key aspects such as compartmentation, fire egress, and ventilation have been resolved through regulation-compliant detailing and validated by Building Control consultation during RIBA Stages 3 and 4.
The delivery approach reflects an understanding of procurement logistics, risk mitigation, and buildability. Prefabrication plays a critical role—CLT wall systems, glulam beams, and modular steel components are pre-ordered and coordinated for staged site assembly. A 20-month Gantt-charted construction sequence accommodates marine weather, material lead times, and phased handover. The project’s technical strategy also includes hybrid ventilation systems, marine-grade corrosion protection, and moisture-resistant detailing to ensure long-term performance in a harsh coastal setting.
From a practice perspective, the architect served as Principal Designer, overseeing design risk management, consultant coordination, and regulatory documentation. The team structure involved cross-disciplinary collaboration with structural, MEP, and landscape consultants, all working through a shared cloud-based CDE. Cost planning was derived from BCIS data, supplier quotes, and RIBA fee benchmarks, with projected total architectural service fees around £135,000.
The ethical position of the design is grounded in user safety, environmental responsibility, and material longevity. It aligns with RIBA’s 2030 Climate Challenge, exceeds minimum performance standards, and demonstrates that professional practice is not only about compliance—but also about crafting spaces that are resilient, humane, and deeply embedded in place.