Simple engineering mitigates the flood risks of this riverside site
A newly proposed boathouse on the River Cam was to bring together the Cambridge Rowing Association and popular local rowing club, Camrowers.
The new building required careful negotiation with the Environment Agency due to its position within the river floodplain. It was critical that the design imposed minimal impact on the floodplain storage volume and floodwater flows.
AFP designed a light steel frame for the building, supported on a piled raft slab to manage the poor ground conditions. We proposed a concrete sloped floor slab set at ground level with perforated perimeter brickwork, allowing the building to flood unimpeded under storm conditions and then drain efficiently after the event. Roof rainwater was directed to attenuation before discharging into the river.
The AFP team liaised with the Environment Agency throughout the project to agree construction methods and obtain consents.
Location
New Boathouse, Logans Way, Cambridge
Client
Camrowers and Cambridge Rowing Association
Sector
Sport & Leisure
Value
£500k
Uncomplicated engineering sees this well-designed boathouse work within existing flood management systems.
