02/09/2026
From the Archives I Shire Consulting Project Spotlight
A look back at the Michael Baker Boathouse at King's School, Worcester, one of several projects delivered by Shire Consulting as part of our long-standing relationship with the school.
Located directly beside the River Severn, the boathouse was designed around a series of demanding structural, environmental and historic constraints.
The two-storey building comprises a steel frame, timber roof, precast concrete upper floor and a robust suspended concrete ground floor. Its distinctive curved form was designed to evoke the shape of a boat, culminating in a large glazed and cantilevered prow with views along the river and towards Worcester's historic skyline.
The lower level provides extensive rowing-boat storage and was intentionally designed to flood during periods of high river levels. Rather than resisting the water and creating significant pressure against the external structure, floodwater is allowed to enter and drain away in a controlled manner.
Robust materials were used throughout this level, while more vulnerable plant and occupied accommodation were positioned above the anticipated flood levels.
Ground conditions presented a further challenge, with weak made ground identified beneath the building. A piled foundation solution with reinforced concrete ground beams was developed, helping minimise excavation and reduce the risk of disturbing the adjacent road, retaining structures and archaeologically sensitive ground.
The upper level contains highly insulated training, changing and reception spaces. As the steel frame continued between the unheated lower storage level and the insulated accommodation above, thermal breaks were incorporated into key steelwork connections to reduce heat transfer. Timber I-beams were also used within the upper walls and roof, allowing high levels of insulation while limiting thermal bridging.
The project brought together flood-resilient design, complex cantilevered geometry, archaeological constraints, restricted access and demanding thermal-performance requirements within one carefully coordinated structural solution.
The Michael Baker Boathouse received a RIBA West Midlands Award and was recognised for the quality of its architecture and environmental design.
Projects like this demonstrate the breadth of work undertaken by Shire Consulting, combining structural engineering, flood resilience, sustainability and sensitive design within challenging historic locations.
Whilst this project is now part of our archives, the same thoughtful and practical engineering approach continues to support clients delivering complex buildings across the UK.
