The Wapping Project

The Wapping Project is one of my favourite places. We discovered it a couple of years ago on a walk down the River Thames. I love exploring Wapping and Rotherhithe as the streets are lined with converted warehouses and factories that are now beautifully restored apartments (so jealous!). When we came across this building it caught my attention immediately as it is so imposing. There’s a lovely garden with chairs growing on trees and a very sweet greenhouse that is a community bookshop and meeting house. As we walked inside I was rendered speechless. The space is enormous and the interior architecture is stunning: exposed brick, utilitarian tiles, vast hooks dangling from the ceiling, concrete floors, lead windows. It’s a space that I dream about owning and renovating into a home. The combination of soaring ceilings and abandoned machinery with iconic modernist furniture would inspire anyone. The space has now been converted into a restaurant and art gallery. In the evenings, the machinery is covered in candles and it is really rather magical.

So, before you have a look for yourselves, a quick history lesson – do you know that I’m a History teacher? Oh, yes. The Wapping Project was a hydraulic pump house. A network of water pipes used to run underneath the ground across London (marked in red on the map below). Wapping pump house would pump water through these pipes to power a vast range of things, including the lift at Selfridges. Good fact.

Now, have a look for yourself…

The Wapping Project industrial factory style architecture

The Wapping Project factory industrial architecture

The building has retained its ceiling height throughout with no additional internal walls so the space is immense.

The Wapping Project factory industrial architecture

The sleek, modern Vitra furniture contrasts with the old industrial building (I’ve got no idea who those weirdos with their thumbs up are…).

The Wapping Project factory industrial architecture

The pump house machinery still stands proud, albeit functionless.

The Wapping Project factory industrial architecture

The Wapping Project factory industrial architecture

The Wapping Project green house with deck chairs

In the gardens lies a little bookshop greenhouse.

The Wapping Project art installation

There are also art installations in the garden, which grab your attention as you walk by.

The Wapping Project art installation

The Wapping Project green house

Inside the bookshop greenhouse.

Crates used as shelves

The Wapping Project factory industrial architecture

 

 

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5 Comments

  1. Gigi
    16th May 2013 / 8:18 pm

    What’s the nearest tube? Is it close to the tube? Is the food good? Is the food expensive? Lots of questions as I want to go.
    Looks great.

  2. 28th May 2013 / 7:57 pm

    I love this place but I am really put off by those characters in the corner of one of your photos.

    • katy
      28th May 2013 / 10:14 pm

      Me too, me too.

  3. Danielle
    18th October 2013 / 4:07 am

    Your blog is just AMAZING and these images from this Wapping Project are bringing me nearly to tears! Sorry for the lack of a better word, but…. Wow!

    • katy
      18th October 2013 / 5:59 am

      Thanks Danielle! Just sorry the photos aren’t a bit better but it is just an amazing place – if you ever get the chance you should visit! So glad you like the blog x

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