Foster + Companions to design the nationwide memorial to Queen Elizabeth II

Foster + Companions has gained the Queen Elizabeth II Nationwide Memorial Masterplan Design competitors. The London-based structure agency has been chosen to design a nationwide memorial to the late queen. The brand new memorial will embody a brand new bridge impressed by the late Queen’s wedding ceremony tiara, the Prince Philip Gate and new gardens, with the ultimate plan for the memorial in St James’ Park to be introduced subsequent 12 months.

The structure agency, which was based in 1967 by Norman Foster and is famend for quite a few high-profile works throughout the globe, such because the Nice Court docket on the British Museum, worldwide airports equivalent to Hong Kong and Beijing, Apple Park and the worldwide Apple shops, was chosen from a shortlist of 5 ideas by acclaimed groups.

The 5 finalist groups, which included Heatherwick Studio, J&L Gibbons, Tom Stuart-Smith, and Wilkinson Eyre, have been requested to create a masterplan that might honour and have fun Queen Elizabeth’s lifetime of service and supply the general public with an area for reflection in St James’ Park.

The profitable design proposal focuses on the late Queen’s life by a time which bridged custom and modernity. Foster + Companions’ idea centred on how she introduced these dualities collectively. The proposal options two gates, two gardens, joined by a brand new bridge which resembles Queen Elizabeths’s wedding ceremony tiara, and can change St James’ Park Blue Bridge.

It additionally options figurative sculptures and a brand new gate named after Prince Philip. Gardens are integrated to characterize the Commonwealth, whereas creative installations have fun the nation’s range. The profitable group consists of artist Yinka Shonibare and celebrated panorama designer, Michel Desvigne.

‘I knew The Queen on formal events but in addition loved her informality when attending occasions as a member of the Order of Advantage,’ says Foster, founder and government chairman at Foster + Companions. ‘We now have sought to mirror these qualities of the formal and casual in our design, with an attraction throughout a variety of ages and pursuits. To those ends, we have now discreetly stretched the boundaries of artwork and expertise with a intentionally mild intervention. Our design may have the minimal impression on the character and biodiversity of the Park, and it will likely be phased to make sure that the dear route throughout it’s going to by no means be closed.’

What gained the judging panel (The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee) over was the agency’s steadiness of formal and casual components, using artists and area, and technical abilities.

Now that Foster + Companions have been chosen, they’ll work intently with the memorial committee to refine and develop the preliminary idea, whereas additionally choosing a sculptor to design the memorial’s figurative aspect. The sculptor might be introduced later this 12 months.

The ultimate design might be formally introduced in April 2026, alongside a legacy programme, to coincide with what would have been Queen Elizabeth’s hundredth birthday 12 months.

See the 5 finalists’ proposals right here