Govan Graving Docks – a collective endeavor to create a cultural and heritage focused vision for the future Post 1/3 Designing a new cultural and heritage focused regeneration vision for the category A listed Govan Graving Docks is a collective endeavor, and O’DonnellBrown are enjoying working closely in collaboration with @iceniprojects Heritage and Conservation Architects from ZM Architecture to lead emerging proposals. Understanding the history of the Docks, a nationally important site, has been key in enabling the historic assets and the cultural significance to be protected, conserved and enhanced as part of the regeneration vision for the site. Docks history The Docks were constructed for the Clyde Navigation Trust between 1869 and 1898. Dock No 1 and No 3 Docks were each the deepest in Britain when built and could accommodate the largest ship afloat at the time. The term “graving“ refers to scraping and in this context the word describes the activity of cleaning off barnacles and decay from the hulls of ships. Therefore, the Docks were designed for the repair and cleaning of boats and ships, they did not have a shipbuilding function. The Docks served an important maintenance role in supporting ongoing river based economic activity, employing many people from the local area until their commercial closure in 1987. To the north west of the Graving Docks is Highland Lane. This lane was an elevated brick walkway and structure set approximately 2 metres above the level of the docks and was used as the public access to the Kelvinhaugh Ferry. This ferry ran diagonally across to Yorkhill Quay on the north bank. The large harbour basin to the west of the site was developed after 1910, on the site originally known as the Govan yard, which was a large timber store. It was a working quayside, animated by large travelling cranes on rails etc. The wharves were used to bring in goods, also probably to prepare ships and vessels, of loading fittings and cargo, to ensure the boats were as light as possible before entering the dry docks. It is unlisted but still forms part of the local and townscape heritage impact assessment for the Docks. #govangravingdocks