Niall McLaughlin Architects on shortlist for Lake Windermere visitor attraction

Eight architects have been shortlisted to design a £7.4m steamboat museum on lake Windermere for the Lakeland Arts Trust.

The project, which aims to create an exciting and active museum on the lake shore to display the collection of steam launches, motor boats, yachts and other vessels which are all associated with Windermere, has secured initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund to go ahead.

The shortlisted architects, cut down from 114 expressions of interest in the Riba-run competition, are:

  • Carmody Groarke
  • Adam Khan Architects
  • Niall McLaughlin Architects
  • Terry Pawson Architects
  • Reiach and Hall Architects
  • 6a Architects
  • Sutherland Hussey Architects
  • Witherford Watson Mann Architects

Riba will now seek design concepts for the project, which includes a area for displaying the boats, a workspace to allow visitors to see the boats being restored, a gallery and general visitor facility.

Gordon Watson, chief executive of Lakeland Arts Trust said:  “We are delighted with the quality of architects on the shortlist. We are looking for a fresh, well-detailed and sensitive response for the stimulating and highly significant site on Lake Windermere.”