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Four architecture firms, including those responsible for the glass pyramid at the Louvre and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio, have been shortlisted to design the new US embassy.
A competition attracted more than 30 entries, with four contenders - Kieran Timberlake, Morphosis Architects, PEI Cobb Freed & Partners and Richard Meier & Partners - making it through to the final round.
The rules state that, to comply with US law, the lead designer "must be an American firm with the required level of security clearance". However it added that practices will be expected to work with British firms to ensure plans meet the needs of the embassy and are appropriate for the high-profile location near the Thames.
UK architect Jeremy Estop, who designed the British Embassy in Bangkok, criticised the restriction on non-US architects: "Our government is employing American designers on new embassies. Do the Americans intend to fly in a whole US construction force as well?"
Reader views (1)
This sounds like very exciting project, and its great that our American friends are spending so much, which goes a long way to help the local economy, its a shame they have to move, but security is paramount, and I do hope they have a smooth ride with the local planning departments (including Boris), just grease his palm with a bit of cross rail cash, and he will be OK.
And the big "C" thing in London, I always thought it a bad idea, its there , no getting away from it, three million quid, "peanuts" pay up and forget, don't make yourselves look tidgy, back to the main event, all the best for your new Embassy.
- David Crocket, Bradford, UK, 31/07/2009 15:23
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