They must be practical, versatile and tough enough to take a pounding, yet still live in harmony with their communities. Architect Mark Roberts explains just some of the challenges of designing lifeboat stations

‘Lifeboat stations are built with pride and follow a long tradition of serving the local people,’ says Mark, as he reflects on his firm’s latest RNLI project. ‘They are almost like churches, built to withstand the test of ages.’

The Bazeley Partnership, one of several architectural firms to work with the RNLI, has been involved in many such projects over the years. It designed the new lifeboat station for Exmouth, Devon, to house an inshore and all weather lifeboat, improved crew facilities, a public viewing gallery and a shop. ‘It was an amazing project,’ says Mark.

‘I was lucky enough to get involved just as I was finishing my training so it became my case study. There were some real challenges along the way so it was great to see it go fully operational in November.’ The new boathouse at Exmouth not only takes away the headache of coordinating operations over a split site – it enhances RNLI cover in the area.

The all-weather lifeboat used to be moored near Exmouth Dock and could Form and function They must be practical, versatile and tough enough to take a pounding, yet still live in harmony with their communities. Architect Mark Roberts explains just some of the challenges of designing lifeboat stations not cross the sand bar at the mouth of the River Exe at low water. This meant it was impeded for 3 hours on an average of 8days per month. Meanwhile, the inshore lifeboat was housed nearly a mile away from the all-weather crew base – a pair of cramped portable cabins. The architects had not only the RNLI’s operational requirements to consider but also planning and building regulations. And the local authority wanted a quality landmark – all in a constrained, awkward-to-access and complex site.

‘In one sense,’ explains Mark, ‘lifeboat stations are just functional sheds but they have to meet many special needs. They must provide a safe and secure housing for the lifeboat rig that’s ready to go 24/7, an operational and training base for the volunteer crew and helpers, a refuge for survivors and their friends and relations, and they must also act as an educational and fundraising shop window for the RNLI. They need to do all of this in an exposed and hostile environment and within strict budget limits.’

The RNLI’s Shoreworks Department oversees the whole process – from feasibility, through design, planning and right down to the nuts and bolts. ‘They have high expectations, and rightly so.’ says Mark. ‘A lot is expected of lifeboat volunteers so it’s only right that we provide them with the best we can. We liaise directly with the crew to find out exactly what they need. Designing how to get the lifeboat from the house into the water presents an additional set of puzzles.’

But how does an architect decide on the look of a station and what it will be built of? ‘The sites are often in sensitive areas so the more “poetic” part of our job comes into play. We tend to use a lot of traditional materials. Not only do they look good, they function better and are easier to maintain. Exmouth station has heavy masonry walls faced in local stone so they look as though they are a natural feature of the landscape, and the copper roof mimics a stormy sea.’ And what about the systems inside? ‘We installed ground-source heat pumps to reduce the carbon footprint of the building operation and to minimise energy consumption. Cold water is circulated through 80m deep boreholes where it is warmed by the ground. The energy gained is extracted by a heat pump and fed into the underfloor heating system. It’s a bit like a fridge in reverse and achieves four times the energy put into it. So there are real environmental and financial benefits to such “green” technology.’

So what’s next? ‘I’m really excited to be involved with the design of a new lifeguard storage facility at Bude. It’s function will be different from a lifeboat station of course but the design will still carry the RNLI’s strong sense of pride and tradition. Built to last, right at the heart of the community.’

Crew Member Robert Thompson says: ‘To have both boats housed under one roof is so much better. We used to return to the old station, cold and wet from a rescue in the middle of the night, faced with locked public toilets and no changing facilities. Now we can have showers and make hot drinks - a lot more comfortable, not just for us but for anyone we rescue too.’

A huge number of people helped to raise the money for this ambitious project. Trusts, businesses, clubs, groups and individual donors all supported the appeal.

Exmouth Coxswain Tim Mock says: ‘I have the greatest respect for everyone who has supported us. All gifts, big and small, have played a vital part in helping us reach our fundraising target so I say thank you on behalf of all the crew.’

The date of the official opening of the boathouse will be announced later this year. Find out more at exmouth-lifeboat.org.uk.