There’s a timelessness to the River Thames at Chiswick; its pastoral landscape feels more 19th than 21st century, save for the A380’s descending toward Heathrow. Ancient trees, grass cricket fields, and the historic pitches of Dukes Meadows and the Polytechnic sports ground combine to create a meticulously protected, yet man-made landscape.

Sport has thrived here since the late 1800s, rooted firmly in the tradition of rowing, which came long at the behest of one of London’s most celebrated philanthropists, Quintin Hogg.

Today, these grounds are vital to the active lives of local residents and schools. Adjacent to Chiswick Bridge sits a small Arts and Crafts clubhouse, originally built in 1888, replaced in 1922, and the rear part rebuilt again after being bombed in WWII.

This is the historic home of Quintin Boat Club and the University of Westminster rowers.

Founded in 1886 by Hogg, the club’s legacy is now guarded by our client, the Quintin Hogg Trust.

The club was dilapidated and struggling to attract younger members at the point when AST won an invited competition to revitalise the site. The brief then evolved from a new rowing facility to include a comprehensive masterplan, delivering modern sports infrastructure that has transformed a once-sleepy site into a vibrant hub of activity.

Rowing is a study in perfection: simplicity, pure power-to-weight ratio, geometry, and physics. There is a unique beauty in a carbon-fibre hull gliding across the water, oars slicing patterns into the surface.

From the timber frame set over flood-proof exposed concrete to the handrails on the terraces, our design draws on this geometry in both its superstructure and fine detailing.

The project, which gained planning consent in 2018, has since played a fundamental role in establishing a successful community access outreach programme. This initiative offers elite rowing to a far broader demographic than was previously typically found on the Tideway.

AST developed the site-wide brief from RIBA Stage 0, defining both the outreach goals and the coaching parameters required for delivery. We have since delivered the first 3 phases of 4. The completed development will comprise a new boathouse, an extension and refurbishment of the original clubhouse, a new multi-sports pavilion, and a 4G pitch.

To work on this stretch of the Thames has been a distinct honour and a unique opportunity. The grand opening of the extended and sensitively refurbished boat house was finally celebrated in March 2026, and it is hoped and intended that the Quintin Boat Club and its facilities will continue to be here for the next 100 years of sport.

Project Phases:

• Phase 1 (2020): Light-touch refurbishment of the existing club room.

• Phase 2 (2022): New 4G pitch and supporting facilities.

• Phase 3 (2025): Extension and full refurbishment of the Quintin Boat House.