A mobile home for the Diocese of London, Genesis is a wide-beam canal boat with a beacon-like kinetic roof. Designed by London-based architects Denizen Works in close collaboration with Turks Shipyard and naval architect Tony Tucker, this unconventional modern-day mission is expected to remain anchored in place for three to five years before travelling onward to other canal-side communities in East London.
Inspired by organ bellows, the kinetic roof was designed by Denizen Works and made from concertinaed, translucent sailcloth lined with LED lights. Powered by hydraulic rams, the roof has a dramatic head height of 3.6m at it highest point when raised. When lowered, the barge becomes compact and low-lying, thus allowing it to pass beneath bridges when sailing.
The barge is boarded midship where the simple floorplan is divided in two. One one side is the main assembly space. To the other side are the functional spaces including kitchen, office and toilet areas.
The interior finishes include light plywood walls set off against a green linoleum floor. The sail stitching used on the kinetic roof is applied as a motif throughout and can be seen in many of the interior details such as the aluminium screens to windows, the tiling of the kitchen and even the legs of the bespoke furniture. The motif is also seen externally in a frieze painted by a local signwriter.
Built-in Valchromat benches offer seating and storage along the perimeter of the assembly roof, which also includes a fitted marine-style bulkhead. Addition furniture is designed by local company Plyco and includes custom-designed plywood stools and foldable tables for events and services. The alter, designed by Denizen Works, features an angled-front face like the prow of the boat and can be folded into a flat pack for easy storage.
A self-sustaining asset for the community, Genesis serves not only as a church but can accommodate activities and services ranging from parent and toddler groups to pilates and art classes, employment training and support workshop and counselling to name just a few. The mobile and flexible program will ensure lasting benefit to diverse neighbourhoods at key regeneration sites in East London.
Says Murray Kerr of Denizen Works, ‘As a mixed-use faith and community project, we feel the boat could be a first step in our thinking about how communities can continue to be served as they grow and move away from traditional locations and building types. Most of all, the project demonstrates what can be achieved when a brave client with an exciting brief believes in an ambitious design team.’
