Carmody Groarke win Windermere Steamboat Museum competition

Architect Carmody Groarke has won a competiton to redevelop the Windermere Steamboat Museum in the Lake District National Park. 

Earlier this year, the Lakeland Arts Trust secured initial support for a £7.4m Heritage Lottery Fund bid, including £494,000 development funding, to take the project forward. 

The scheme aims to create an exciting and active museum which will use the lake and its environs to display the nationally significant collection of steam launches, motor boats, yachts and other vessels associated with Windermere.

Carmody Groarke was selected from a shortlist that also included (in alphabetical order): Adam Khan Architects, Niall McLaughlin Architects, Terry Pawson Architects, Reiach and Hall Architects, 6a Architects, Sutherland Hussey Architects and Witherford Watson Mann Architects.

The jury included representatives from the Lakeland Arts Trust, together with Stuart McKnight (McInnes Usher McKnight Architects) acting as the RIBA architect adviser, Roger Tempest (Rural Conceps Group), Kim Wilkie (Kim Wilkie Associates), and Ellis Woodman (editor of Building Design Magazine).

Martin Ainscough, chairman of the Lakeland Arts Trust, said: “We were really pleased with the high quality of the entries and we’re delighted to be working with a young, talented and ambitious practice.”

Gordon Watson, chief executive of the Lakeland Arts Trust, said: “The competition attracted a great deal of interest and Carmody Groake are very worthy winners from an excellent shortlist.

“Their fresh and distinctive design is an inspired response to the heritage of the beautiful site beside Lake Windermere and the requirements for the Museum and the nationally important collection of boats, which are all associated with Windermere. We are looking forward to working with Carmody Groarke to develop the project as a major attraction in the heart of the Lake District.”