Commissioned by British Land, the design takes inspiration from James Stirling’s Electa bookshop pavilion in the Venice Biennale gardens, which is itself inspired by nautical design.
The barge, assembled and hand-welded in Somerset, also draws on the forms of British canal boats, its roof structure suggesting both the tarpaulin covers used on working barges and the traditional inclined sides of canal boats.
A bridge links the barge to a smaller boat, where the kitchen is located.
The 20 m long restaurant provides dining space on two levels, with a band of glazing around the sides and front giving generous views of the canal and towpath.
The terrace on the upper deck is encircled by a demountable balustrade, allowing the boat to pass through the canal system when in transit.