Phoenix

Click here for a backblip it took me six weeks to make.

For a while in 1999, strewn charred timbers, blackened bricks, sooty earth and a hasty security fence were all that remained of the only boathouse on the south side of the Folly Bridge stretch of the Thames. The 19th century building, destroyed by arson one summer night, used to be the most elegant of the boathouses on this reach of the river.

For a long time it looked as if its owners, University College, were doing nothing about it, then the track from the road to the river was widened and heavy machinery was brought in. It wasn’t easy to see what was being created beyond the strengthened security fence, but in 2007 a new boathouse was opened. No lazy pastiche, nor tedious ‘fitting in with the surrounding buildings’ as too often required by planners, this is a modern, exciting piece of architecture. It reflects the activity on the water and takes on the moods of the weather as well as, more mundanely, storing boats. I discovered today when I was asked about taking photos (sigh) that it also provides accommodation for seven lucky people.

I’m not sure why I’ve blipped it only once before – there’s lots of scope.