The way the boathouses are used has changed in recent years.  More than just a store for the hardware of boats, blades and equipment with some spartan changing space, many now include facilities for workshop repairs, land training, coaching and Club social events.  The Peterhouse boathouse was originally built when the College was single-sex and currently also hosts the Murray Edwards College Boat Club.  It is much-loved by current rowers and alumni, but offers completely inadequate space for these other important functions.

The proposed design recognises the traditional Cambridge boathouse pattern of decorative “pavilions” fronting the river with more understated construction behind; the extensions will be deliberately low-key and use sympathetic materials so as not the steal the limelight from the original building.  The proposed extensions and refurbishment will include larger workshop and office space for the boatman, better changing and land-training facilities and gently refurbished Club rooms that retain their familiar historic character.  The building will be made accessible to all with a new lift to the first floor; the accommodation will be insulated and fitted with a river water-source heat pump as part of the College’s decarbonisation efforts.  Modern methods of construction and careful phasing will be used to allow the boat bays to continue in use for most of the build period (alternative boat storage on the river is hard to come by) and to allow for the very limited site access and space.  While maintaining the original and much-loved identity of the original Peterhouse boathouse, the project will hugely upgrade the building to serve the Club as it embarks on its next 200 years.