The Radley College Rowing Centre allows the school to train and compete at the highest possible level
Mulroy Architects recently completed project at Radley College and designed the Radley College Rowing Centre, a private boarding school in Oxforshire, England. The London-based firm created a static training boat, providing a year-round training facility for the school's rowing teams, and "allowing the school to train and compete at the highest possible level" said the architects.
Thanks to an unpowered rowing tank for teams up to eight, the Radley College's rowing allow the students to train despite of the bad weather. The pool is also designed to replicate river conditions.
From very modest beginnings, the Radley Boat Club has grown into one of the best equipped clubs in the UK, featuring a pool with a stationary boat. "The building's elegant interior is an IT-rich and controlled environment where training and performance quality can be closely monitored" said the studio. The resistance of the tank is provided by water flowing in a double return loop around and under the boat. Cameras on walls and ceilings keep track of the sessions. Rear sliding doors can be fully opened and ventilate the space. LED panels provide extra lighting.
"The building incorporates re-cycled roof panels from another building at the College and thermo-treated timber cladding to reduce maintenance. The louvred timber cladding allows the continual flow of fresh air removing the need for mechanical ventilation" explained the architects. Without no doubt, the 275-square-metre building and pool became the centerpiece of the Radley College Rowing Centre.
Photography by Joakim Boren.
