Thames Immersion-London Cube

The Diving Training Centre is designed as a supporting facility for the London Cube, a tidal viewing system located along the Thames River at London Bridge. Together, the two projects explore alternative ways of experiencing London through water, depth, and hidden urban space. While the London Cube creates an immersive tidal viewing experience within the river itself, the Diving Training Centre supports its maintenance, operation, and public engagement.

The centre serves both professional diving teams and the public. It provides a dedicated operational base for divers responsible for the underwater maintenance and connection of the London Cube, while also offering educational and training spaces for visitors interested in diving and underwater exploration. The spatial organisation follows a four-stage diving process: theoretical learning, equipment familiarisation, practical gear handling, and underwater training. This sequence creates a clear and efficient journey throughout the building, guiding users naturally from preparation to immersion.

Diving equipment becomes the main architectural language of the project. Elements such as the bullet-shaped elevator, specialised storage systems, and circulation routes are inspired by the form and function of professional diving gear, combining symbolic expression with practical performance. Heavy equipment is strategically positioned beside the pools, allowing users to prepare efficiently without carrying bulky items through the building.

The project integrates a sustainable water recycling system using Thames water and rainwater. A holographic projection at the riverfront entrance displays live underwater footage from the London Cube, creating an interactive public experience that reveals the hidden environment beneath the Thames.