River Studio

River Studio is a 450m² creative workspace located on the banks of the Thames in Oxford. Originally a Victorian boathouse, the building had fallen into disrepair. Our design retains the original masonry shell while inserting a new CLT structure within — a building within a building. The double-height studio space opens through full-width sliding doors onto a timber deck over the river. Upper-level offices are lit by a sawtooth roof that catches northern light without glare. The building achieves BREEAM Excellent certification, with river-source heat pumps, natural ventilation, and a green roof that supports local biodiversity. It is a place where work and nature coexist.