Representing a groundbreaking cultural and ecological initiative on Belfast’s River Lagan, this project provided us with the opportunity to install one of our state-of-the-art pontoons, creating a floating public space that blends functionality with artistic vision.
| Client | Belfast City Council |
| Date | Summer 2024 |
| Where | Stranmillis Weir and Waterfront Hall pontoon, River Lagan, Belfast |
Commissioned by Belfast 2024, DRIFT is a collaborative research and arts project led by OGU Architects, MMAS and sound artist Matilde Meireles. It seeks to reimagine Belfast’s riverfront, addressing ecological concerns, flooding challenges and the community’s desire to better connect with the River Lagan.
We saw this as an incredible opportunity – not only to showcase our expertise in providing durable, high-quality infrastructure but also to support Belfast’s cultural and artistic evolution. Our pontoon serves as the foundation of DRIFT, enabling diverse activities to take place safely and reliably on the water.
For this project, we designed and installed a pontoon with a timber-effect GRC deck, which harmonises with the aesthetic vision of the project while offering the strength and stability needed to accommodate large crowds. The pontoon’s versatility was key to supporting the ambitious scope of DRIFT, from its daytime public use to its evening art and music events.
What made this project truly special was the collaboration behind it. Designed by Belfast-based OGU Architects, DRIFT exemplifies the power of thoughtful design in tackling urban challenges. OGU’s focus on creating public-minded spaces aligns perfectly with our own mission of delivering infrastructure that benefits communities.
Working closely with OGU, we implemented a pontoon system that offers three distinct configurations to maximise flexibility. This design approach allowed the platform to adapt to the needs of each event while maintaining safety and ease of use.
This innovative project hosted a range of engaging events, from talks and films to musical performances and immersive art experiences, across August and September 2024. The success of DRIFT highlights the transformative potential of using urban waterways as both functional spaces and cultural hubs.
“DRIFT exemplifies the power of testing and researching how a city and riverfront might develop through temporary architecture,” says Chris Upson, founding director of OGU Architects. “This DRIFT project has acted as a magnet to bring people to the water to share their experiences and thoughts about how the city might develop its riverfront whilst improving the ecology of the river.”
For us, it’s immensely gratifying to see how our pontoon has enabled such a vibrant and meaningful project. By combining our durable infrastructure with the creativity of OGU and their collaborators, we’ve helped bring Belfast’s riverfront to life in ways that inspire and engage the community.
“Our pontoon not only provides a stable platform for DRIFT’s innovative events, but also demonstrates the flexibility of our solutions in meeting the unique demands of public, artistic and community-driven projects.”
Our pontoon not only provides a stable platform for DRIFT’s innovative events, but also demonstrates the flexibility of our solutions in meeting the unique demands of public, artistic and community-driven projects.
