In pictures: Architect floats Golden Hinde visitor centre plans

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Spparc designs oak and glass viewing galleries and exhibition space for Southwark attraction

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Spparc has taken the wraps off its proposals for a visitor centre to serve the replica of Francis Drake鈥檚 Golden Hinde that is under restoration at St Mary Overie Dock in Southwark.

The practice鈥檚 1,125sq m scheme features a new ticket hall, an accessible education space which will explore Drake鈥檚 life and an exhibition area on its upper level.

Its lower ground level will have an external covered walkway with viewing galleries to the ship, WCs and offices for staff.

Inside SPPARC's Golden Hinde Visitor Centre

Inside Spparc鈥檚 Golden Hinde Visitor Centre

Spparc said it would use English oak for the centre 鈥� the same material used for the construction of Drake鈥檚 original vessel, which he used to become the first Englishman to sail around the world in the 16^th century.

It added that glass would be used for the lower level of the visitor centre, giving the impression the attraction is 鈥渟eemingly hovering over the water鈥�.

From inside, visitors will be able to view the ship from different angles at the same time as tracking Drake鈥檚 journey around the world, which lasted from 1577 to 1580.

Inside SPPARC's Golden Hinde Visitor Centre

Inside Spparc鈥檚 Golden Hinde Visitor Centre

Spparc principal Trevor Morriss said the proposal would also open up new views of the Thames and allow visitors to view several key locations along the river with connections to Drake - including his home near Cannon Street and the site near Custom House where the original Golden Hinde was moored.

鈥淭he brief for the new Golden Hinde visitor centre called for a unique design which learnt from the skilled craftsmanship and innovative nautical engineering of this iconic ship,鈥� he said.

鈥淭he concept was derived through the desire to reflect this history of the Golden Hinde and Sir Frances Drake in a contemporary visitor centre.鈥�

Inside SPPARC's Golden Hinde Visitor Centre

Inside Spparc鈥檚 Golden Hinde Visitor Centre

The working replica of the Golden Hinde at Southwark weighs 300 tonnes and was built in the early 1970s. It has sailed around the world and was included in the TV mini-series Shogun.

Spparc, which has completed a selection of high-profile projects in Southwark, said it planned to submit a planning application for the scheme later this year.