Brunel Museum’s Shaft

Tate Harmer architectural practice and the Brunel Museum renewed the entrance shaft to one of London’s pieces of engineering: the Thames Tunnel.

The Brunel Museum – dedicated to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, one of England’s greatest engineers – commissioned the renovation of its Sinking Shaft to the London based architectural firm Tate Harmer and with the partnership of AIM, the Association of Independent Museums.

Brunel Museum's Shaft — Brunel Museum's shaft entrace, Tate Harmer, London

Located within Brunel’s Thames Tunnel Engine House and developed in collaboration with Grimshaw Architects, the project is the first phase of a wider masterplan for the museum that aims to widen public awareness of the built legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and London’s industrial heritage. The Thames Tunnel once provided a pedestrian crossing of the River Thames nearly two miles downstream of London Bridge. The shaft has now been sealed with a concrete floor, following the transformation of the tunnel for the construction of the East London Line and London Overground.

“Brunel was a daring engineer and organised the world’s first underwater concert right here in Rotherhithe. Museums should be places to be inspired and places for celebration and performance”, assests Robert Hulse, Director of the Brunel Museum.

This new project provides inclusive access to the Sinking Shaft with a high level viewing platform and a monumental stair to the lower level. The shaft is approximately 15 mt in diameter and 15 mt deep with smoke-blackened brick walls from steam trains, providing a raw but atmospheric backdrop. The staircase uses a contemporary language that detaches from the historic background and visitors can use this new access point as a means to descend into an intriguing underground space.

“It was vital that the staircase and new entrance to the Rotherhithe shaft did not impact on its historical significance” says Jerry Tate, Partner of Tate Harmer, “we wanted to celebrate the raw nature of the Victorian industrial heritage while providing the public proper access for tours and performances”.