The RNLI approached Studio Four to design a new lifeboat station for ‘sailing capital’ Cowes on the Isle of Wight. The Institution had recently taken over the independently run Cowes Inshore Lifeboat, which had no lifeboat station of its own, and had therefore acquired the vacant ‘old Custom House’ in the Cowes Conservation Area, overlooking the entrance to the River Medina. As well as being in the Conservation Area, the building had flying freeholds with domestic properties to the rear, was surrounded by existing properties on all sides - some Listed, shared a Right of Way to seaward with the adjacent Island Sailing Club and had no single space large enough to actually house the RNLI lifeboat. Having already arranged a separate Planning permission and construction drawings for the RNLI to establish a Charity Shop in the High Street behind the site, Studio Four developed the preferred site option through Planning permission to construction. The domestic character of the rear of the building was maintained, to satisfy Planners and neighbours, whilst to seaward a modern and functional frontage was introduced, allowing the lifeboat and crew to operate as efficiently as possible whilst maintaining the Right of Way across the apron. The completed building was opened by Her Majesty The Queen on 25 July 2012, the last day of her Diamond Jubilee tour.