Background

The Govan dry docks are currently derelict. In keeping with Glasgow’s history of bath houses, I imagine this to be a very public building with the potential to bring together different communities. A new public square is created to allow events and markets to take place. The building itself sits perpendicular to the docks on the axis of an old farm road pre-dating the docks. This road once led to a crossing point over to Partick. The linear journey through the building towards the Clyde picks up on this aspect of history. The archways make reference to the railway arches that can be seen directly across the river. The sectional diagram of the building is inspired by the ships once built at the site. A top ‘deck’, in this case an outdoor terrace, provides views over the docks and the accommodation is hidden down below.