Commissioned by the Diocese of London for modern-day missions into urban communities, the new-build barge Genesis is a base for activities to shape a more permanent church presence. We worked with boatbuilders and sailmakers on the fit-out, integrating storage into timber furniture to free up the full beam of the boat, in turn maximising the flexibility of the internal space. Light is controlled through a ceiling oculus and window shutters inspired by rood screens. The roof opens like a bellows, scaling up the volume below deck and resulting in a warm, un-churchlike space that makes its users feel bigger rather than smaller.
…In Hackney Wick, the floating church’s cabin opens out into a lofty, nave-like space, with rows of plywood benches arranged in front of a flatpack altar, shaped like the prow of a ship. Sunlight streams in through a big halo-shaped window in the wooden ceiling, while a screen of translucent fabric rises up behind the altar, casting an appropriately celestial glow over London’s new canal-faring chapel.
‘I love the Olympic Park,’ says the Rev Dave Pilkington. ‘But for a lot of local people, it felt like all this stuff had been foisted on them. There was a sense of people being pushed out, that all these new facilities weren’t for them. In an area undergoing such drastic transformation, we were wondering what role the church could play. Where is the space for spirituality in such rapid change?’
The answer is Genesis, as this bobbing place of worship is called. It was established by the Diocese of London to bring the Lord back to Hackney Wick — and beyond. The idea is that the boat will be moored here for up to five years while it builds up a local congregation, before setting off on a voyage around London’s waterways to find another area undergoing similarly rapid development.
‘Rather than investing millions in a new building,’ says Rev Pilkington, ‘you can take the boat in and see what grows out of that, then look to establish something.’
Rev Pilkington… has already organised five-a-side matches with his congregation and is even hoping to conduct baptisms in the water, in a stretch known locally as the Hackney Riviera. ‘After all,’ he says, ‘Jesus was baptised in the Jordan, which probably wasn’t too sanitised either.’
Oliver Wainwright, The Guardian, 19 October 2020
CAPTIONS
Test-bed to identify needs/conditions of community to shape permanent presence (so light and context will often change)
A church (which isn’t just a church) that makes you feel big, not small.
Adaptability
Challenge of integrating furniture and storage – and free space
Controlling light – NB oculus in ceiling
Roof opening up like bellows (a piece of theatre; church incognito until then) – sailmakers and boat builders
PULL QUOTES
“The boat is conceived as a beacon to capture attention and attract footfall.” Frame magazine
“The holy vessel is an arresting thing to encounter on the towpath.” Oliver Wainwright, The Guardian
“Even without the tea and biscuits, this compact space oozes warmth and character.” Veronica Simpson, FX
“Illuminated from within, the bellows appear like a Japanese paper lantern with a warm, welcoming glow which is enigmatic, quirky and eccentric.” Edwin Heathcote, Financial Times
“The scheme was conceived as a product rather than a traditional building and has successfully maximised all the space inside and around the boat. Its flexibility of uses ensures that it can fulfil its brief to be a vital community asset for the neighbourhoods along the London canal network.” Judges’ citation, RIBA Awards 2021
“The start turn is the bellows-style lifting cabin roof – disturbingly suggestive of a crocodile opening its jaws.” Alan Powers, Architecture Today
“Genesis appears to be a religious experiment… the church of God repackaged for 21st century hipsters and plywood evangelists in a cool stripped-back minimalist style.” Gordon Shrigley, Hackney Gazette
EPHEMERA
Evening Standard press cutting
The Times press cutting
Emma shot of Hackney Gazette headline
Organ bellows reference
Camper van roof reference
Model shots
Coloured cross section
Specialists (Jeckells, Tucker Designs, Turks Shipyard) at work?
Construction images?
Barge pre construction?
