Uploaded October 2014 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
From The Architectural Review, the second part in a three-part documentary about water's relationship with architecture. As London grows ever denser and its property prices climb beyond the reach of many would-be homeowners, there has been a significant resurgence of interest in opportunities to inhabit the Thames and its associated waterways. Meanwhile a ribbon of development is creeping along the banks of the river often displacing those who lived there previously. Is the water a force that will unlock an increasingly unaffordable city or one that will fuel a trend of gentrification and displacement?
PART ONE (youtu.be/oeEuXrT-cCA)
How is the potent and rapidly changing relationship between architecture and water affecting the city and all of us? Architecture critic, Ellis Woodman explores with leading architects, developers and urban thinkers the challenges and opportunities presented by rivers and canals and asks if engineers and property developers now wield the key creative power in shaping the city's relationship with its rivers?
PART THREE: Water park — how can a river become more than a transport route and pretty view? Through recreation, interaction and radical ideas such as floating parks, amphibious houses and new public wetlands can the river become a living part of the city?
ACCOMPANYING DEBATES
The Old Royal Naval College is hosting a series of debates on the connection between water and architecture which accompanies this documentary. There are three debates each exploring a different aspect of architecture's connection to the river.
Living on the River, 23rd Octoboer, 18:30 - 20:00
Chaired by Phineas Harper, The Architectural Review
(Tickets: ornc.org/events/detail/architecture-for-all)
Building by the River, 21st November, 18.30 - 20.00
Chaired by Rowan Moore, The Observer
(Tickets: ornc.org/events/detail/architecture-for-all-building-by-the-river)
Working on the River, 19th December, 18.30 - 20.00
Chaired by Ellis Woodman, The Architectural Review
(ornc.org/events/detail/architecture-for-all-working-on-the-river)
TICKETS
To book tickets and find out more about this series of debate visit the Old Royal Naval College Website:
ornc.org/events/detail/architecture-for-all
CREDITS
A co-production of The Architectural Review and the Old Royal Naval College
Presenter: Ellis Woodman
Director: Phineas Harper
Production Co-ordinator: Manon Mollard
Location Assistant: Ben Chernett
Music: 'Spiders' by Buffalo Ink (buffaloink.bandcamp.com/)
Special thanks:
Lesley Booth
William Palin
Peter Beard_LANDROOM
Cityscape 3D
Joel Blackledge
Shot on a Canon 5D Mark iii
The Architectural Review
Challenging people to think deeply about architecture and its relationship to the wider world.
architectural-review.com
From The Architectural Review, the second part in a three-part documentary about water's relationship with architecture. As London grows ever denser and its property prices climb beyond the reach of many would-be homeowners, there has been a significant resurgence of interest in opportunities to inhabit the Thames and its associated waterways. Meanwhile a ribbon of development is creeping along the banks of the river often displacing those who lived there previously. Is the water a force that will unlock an increasingly unaffordable city or one that will fuel a trend of gentrification and displacement?
PART ONE (youtu.be/oeEuXrT-cCA)
How is the potent and rapidly changing relationship between architecture and water affecting the city and all of us? Architecture critic, Ellis Woodman explores with leading architects, developers and urban thinkers the challenges and opportunities presented by rivers and canals and asks if engineers and property developers now wield the key creative power in shaping the city's relationship with its rivers?
PART THREE: Water park — how can a river become more than a transport route and pretty view? Through recreation, interaction and radical ideas such as floating parks, amphibious houses and new public wetlands can the river become a living part of the city?
ACCOMPANYING DEBATES
The Old Royal Naval College is hosting a series of debates on the connection between water and architecture which accompanies this documentary. There are three debates each exploring a different aspect of architecture's connection to the river.
Living on the River, 23rd Octoboer, 18:30 - 20:00
Chaired by Phineas Harper, The Architectural Review
(Tickets: ornc.org/events/detail/architecture-for-all)
Building by the River, 21st November, 18.30 - 20.00
Chaired by Rowan Moore, The Observer
(Tickets: ornc.org/events/detail/architecture-for-all-building-by-the-river)
Working on the River, 19th December, 18.30 - 20.00
Chaired by Ellis Woodman, The Architectural Review
(ornc.org/events/detail/architecture-for-all-working-on-the-river)
TICKETS
To book tickets and find out more about this series of debate visit the Old Royal Naval College Website:
ornc.org/events/detail/architecture-for-all
CREDITS
A co-production of The Architectural Review and the Old Royal Naval College
Presenter: Ellis Woodman
Director: Phineas Harper
Production Co-ordinator: Manon Mollard
Location Assistant: Ben Chernett
Music: 'Spiders' by Buffalo Ink (buffaloink.bandcamp.com/)
Special thanks:
Lesley Booth
William Palin
Peter Beard_LANDROOM
Cityscape 3D
Joel Blackledge
Shot on a Canon 5D Mark iii
The Architectural Review
Challenging people to think deeply about architecture and its relationship to the wider world.
architectural-review.com
