Mariners Weave
“Boats are the lifeblood of our maritime heritage, weaving together the threads of tradition and industry to create a course for future innovation.”
Mariner’s Weave located near the heart of the harbour in Whitehaven, Cumbria is a scheme which looks to mix the transportation of heritage, knowledge and sustainability. The building looks to uplift whitehaven with a new facility which allows for boat making and restorations. At its core, the scheme celebrates Whitehaven’s rich boating history through a series of exhibition spaces for the display of steam launches, motorboats, yachts and other vessels which tell the story of whitehavens boating industry.
Within the scheme Emphasis is placed on the visitor experience which creates a connection between people, boats and water, as well as providing a reinterpretation of the site’s picturesque heritage. Whilst also looking to the future, the scheme includes two workshops—one dedicated to restoring older boats through the integration of adaptive electric propulsion systems, and another offering hands-on opportunities for visitors to design and build their own smaller boats. This interactive, multi-generational approach encourages learning, creativity, and engagement. Designed for a diverse user group ranging from teenagers to middle-aged adults. Mariner’s Weave creates valuable opportunities for locals and offers tourists an immersive and enjoyable experience. The project reimagines Whitehaven’s waterfront as a dynamic hub of craft, education, and sustainable marine practice, reconnecting the community with its coastal identity.
