The history of the Wapping hydroelectric power plant

The Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, located on Wapping Wall, was built by the London Hydraulic Power Company in 1890. As one of five such hydroelectric power stations in London, it used the waters of the River Thames to generate and supply electricity. This benefited not only the surrounding docks but also certain areas of central London, which were thus in a very privileged position at the time. As a showcase building of the London Hydraulic Power Company, the Wapping hydroelectric power station served as a model for power stations in Argentina, Australia, New York and Europe.

Celebrated for its unique combination of historic architecture with sophisticated contemporary art, the Wapping Hydraulic Power Station was equipped with upscale dining in inspiring architecture and reopened in October 2000 under the name 'The Wapping Project'.

Before the global adoption of electricity, hydraulic power plants like the one at London's Wapping Hydraulic Power Station were a viable alternative to other sources of energy. They generated power for just about everything: from dock cranes and bridges to the elevators in private homes in London's Kensington and Mayfair districts. In the 1930s, the heyday of hydraulic power, more than 33 million gallons of water a week were pumped beneath the streets of London. It raised and lowered almost anything that needed to be moved up and down. As a power source, hydraulic power plants had a number of advantages. They were cheap, efficient, and easy to use along some 186 miles of underground cast-iron pipelines. Tower Bridge relied on hydraulic power, as did countless offices in the City and department stores in the West End. They were also immensely important for London's theatres: the revolving stages, both in the London Palladium and the Colosseum, were hydraulically driven, as were the lifts for the organ consoles at the Leicester Square Theatre and the Odeon Marble Arch; the fire curtains – both at Drury Lane and Her Majesty's Theatre – were also operated in this way. Hydraulic power units were also widely used in all museums, for example to control the picture lift at the Royal Academy and for the fire hydrants in the National Gallery.

Newly built, the pumping station in Wapping was initially powered by steam. Coal was brought in from the neighboring Shadwell Basin and fired six steam boilers and their pumping engines. Two electrically driven turbine pumps were added in 1923, and the entire station was modernized in the 1950s, operating on electricity. However, as electricity became cheaper and electronically operated devices became increasingly sophisticated, industry and private households moved away from hydraulic power units.

The London Hydraulic Power Company's stations were gradually closed; by the mid-1970s, only the Wapping Hydraulic Power Station remained, which also finally closed in 1977. It was the last of its kind, not only in London, but in the entire world. Although used for over a century, hydraulic power has now largely faded into obscurity. The opening of the Wapping hydroelectric power station as a public event venue offers a fascinating glimpse into London's industrial history. The Wapping Project brings this history to life in a unique way.

Position

The Wapping Hydraulic Power Station is located on the north bank of the River Thames in the eastern borough of Wapping, halfway between the City of London and Canary Wharf. Situated between the old Shadwell Basin and the famous pub 'The Prospect of Whitby', it occupies a site of considerable historical significance. Originally a timber-framed farmhouse, The Prospect opened in 1543 and is London's oldest riverside pub. It was initially known as 'Devil's Tavern', and Judge Jeffries and Samuel Pepys are both believed to have been early proprietors.

The hydraulic power station, a Grade II listed building, borders historic riverside halls such as Metropolitan Wharf, the Jubilee, and Lusk Wharves. These, together with the hydraulic power station, form the heart of the Wapping Wall heritage site. The site itself is located within Wapping, an area that has undergone remarkable regeneration following the establishment of the London Docklands Development Corporation in 1981. The transformation of London's Docklands is one of the most successful urban renewal projects in Europe. Since the opening of the London Underground Jubilee Line extension in 1999, Wapping has become easily accessible from all parts of London. Visitors take the Jubilee line, change at Canada Water, and then travel two stops on the East London line to Wapping.

Architectural development

The Wapping Hydraulic Power Station was built in 1890, with modifications and additions made in 1923. Today it is a Grade II listed building. The architectural aim was to preserve as much of the existing structure and machinery as possible, maintaining both the atmosphere of the power station with its industrial past and the archaeological details underlying it. The Wapping Project has carefully restored this historic building to its essential structural form, providing distinctive exhibition and performance spaces. These are located in the boiler and filter house, both of which have been restored to their original 1890 form.

To accommodate the demands of diverse uses (one floor was flooded during the initial installation), the spaces were designed for maximum flexibility. The building can be used as a completely empty space or configured with seating for 350 people. Additional space will be created by constructing a new clerestory and roof. This will sit atop the cast-iron water tanks and the solid brick floor that connects the tanks to the engine room. In daylight, the floating roof structure above the transparent clerestory will be visible, emphasizing the overall appearance and details of the original brick building and, of course, the imposing tanks.

At night, when the clerestory is illuminated from within, it will act like a beacon, advertising The Wapping Project throughout the neighborhood. A new building with additional gallery and office space is also planned for the site. The new architectural additions incorporate state-of-the-art technology and offer a harmonious yet clear distinction between old and new. The new elements are designed to emphasize the building's industrial character through their own lightness – for example, a new, cantilevered boiler room staircase that will not touch the ground.

The primary elements of the new structures are steel, slate, and glass, combined with the intriguing interplay of light and transparency within the new building. This, combined with the weight of the original structure, amplifies the impact of both. Rules were broken to lend the contemporary elements a touch of architectural transience, for example, through staircases made of untreated steel that will develop a patina of rust. The new work embraces the beauty of the historic building and aims, above all, to provide a setting in which artists can create a wide range of contemporary art.

Innovative interior

This captivating setting houses one of London's most extraordinary restaurants. The archaic architecture is accentuated by the furnishings, which feature curved, ergonomically shaped design classics such as the Panton Chair. Verner Panton And the Plastic Side Chair by Charles & Ray Eames can be found here, as well as the Tom Vac Chair by Ron Arad. Comfortably seated, the dishes from the daily changing menu taste even better amidst such flavor and sophistication. Lunch or dinner during the week and brunch on weekends – what more could a discerning man or woman want?