I was the Development Director of Eureka! between 1984-1989.

Eureka! was the first children’s museum in the UK and a pioneer in interactive learning for children.

Before we found a home for it in Halifax we explored many sites in London and this drawing is from work done with Charles Thomson then at David Rock's practice, Rock Townsend. This is the OXO building on the South Bank of the River. Rock Townsend were recommended by the RIBA, along with Will Alsop.

I did a small scheme with Will for the Undercroft of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which included a concrete submarine structure sitting on the bed of the Thames which it was intended would rise to the surface each morning. Hatches would then open and exhibits would appear from the bowels of the machine as aircraft do on aircraft carriers. We liked the idea of the machine-as-animal waking up each morning. This does assume co-operation from the River in the timing of the tides. I included a small window below water level (in the hold) bearing the title 'Thames'.

For some reason we never built the project.....

The thinking behind these schemes, partly because Rock Townsend had developed workspace projects, was to develop use a mix of uses - restaurants, offices, public space and the children's museum.

Charles has a new practice at 54 Rivington Street in Shoreditch. Click on the link below to find out more.

Rock Townsend scheme for the OXO building by Charles Thomson