Wanderland Boat

Mirroring the city. A two-bedroom, 1950s freight boat transformed with a reflective polyhedron exterior makes a striking stamp on Imperial Wharf’s waters.

Wanderland’s creator, French sculptor and artist Cyril de Commarque, spent three years transforming a 1950s Dutch grain barge into a 25-metre piece of stimulating architecture. Complete with a mirrored polyhedron exterior, the boat travelled from Holland to London in 2016 to host a series of visual and auditory installations and socio-political discussions. Today, the vessel has been reimagined for residential use by interior stylist and current homeowner Russell Amerasekera; across three levels, the two-bedroom barge is commanded by its wealth of natural light, spacious footprint and taste for the aesthetically eclectic.

Currently moored in Imperial Wharf, Wanderland captivates at first sight with its superstructural geometric façade that reflects the surrounding water and city architecture. From the dock, enter into the boat’s upper mezzanine level. A series of steel-framed picture windows punctuate the walls at angular interventions, drawing sunlight inside. Decorative wrought-iron railings frame the whitewashed wood floors and can lie flat for clear vision during sailing. Just below, there’s the original steering wheel from the Dutch barge.

A bespoke staircase descends into the boat’s social heart – an open-plan kitchen, dining and reception room. The atmosphere is uplifting: a double-height ceiling affords a capacious quality, while whitewashed wood floors, engineered with underfloor heating, run throughout. A punchy industrial edge is drawn with a row of steel girders above, complete with dramatic vintage chandeliers. The culinary space is stylish and ergonomic, pairing solid wood cabinetry and granite worktops with SMEG and Bosch appliances. Behind the staircase and kitchen, there’s access into Wanderland’s engine room. The fuel and water tanks, boiler and Bosch washer and dryer are all located here.

At the other end of the reception room, a sliding pocket door reveals the principal bedroom suite. A freestanding copper bathtub first commands attention, subtly elevated on a wood stand. Beyond, the bedroom is softly illuminated through brass porthole windows. On the lower mezzanine level, there’s versatile space to be used as a bedroom or dressing room, complete with an en suite shower room. The boat also has two built-in steel desks for home working.