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US embassy with ramparts and moat becomes Thames castle
Ross Lydall and Mira Bar-Hillel24 Feb 2010
Ken Livingstone today led a chorus of disapproval at the winning design for the new American embassy in Battersea.
The former mayor said he would have asked the US government to think again — and sided with British architect Lord Rogers in favouring an alternative shortlisted design.
The US ambassador to London, Louis Susman, last night revealed that a glass cube design by Philadelphia-based practice KieranTimberlake had been chosen. The design, complete with ramparts and a moat to act as a natural security barrier, will replace the current embassy in Grosvenor Square when 1,000 staff move to the more secure base in Nine Elms in 2017.
“We are building a landmark in a city known for landmarks,” he said.
But Lord Rogers and fellow judge Lord Palumbo reportedly backed a rival scheme by Thom Mayne, and Mr Livingstone told the Standard: “I can see why. It's better.”
He said the wining design was typical of a “mid-American town”, and better was expected of such a prominent site near the south bank of the Thames.
Mr Livingstone said: “I think we need to expect something a little bit more exciting. If I was Mayor I would most probably indicate to [the Americans] they should look at it again.
“You can imagine what that is going to be like on a grey day with litter blowing about. It makes you wonder how easy can architecture be? You just put up a cube. We have got to live with this for the next 70 or 80 years.”
Some architects welcomed the $1 billion building's open design but there was concern it compared poorly to the Eero Saarinen-designed building used by the US since the 1960s.
Malcolm Reading, a London-based architect whose consultancy has worked on British embassies in Syria and Hong Kong, said: “It's a piece of contemporary architecture. I don't think it will last but it will probably do the job quite well.” Martin Linton, the Labour MP for Battersea, said: “I'm trying, and I may succeed, in coming to like it, but so far it just looks a bit too much like a sugar cube.”
Sir Richard MacCormac, a former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, said: “It's just a big building stuck on a kind of pond.”
Reader views (12)
I had to chuckle when I saw the cube, I was immediately reminded of another race who resided in a cube. Are the Americans telling us how the view the future for mankind? Come into the collective, resistance is futile? The Borg cube comes to London!
If you dont follow, look up Star Trek and the Borg.
- Caz, Reigate, UK, 28/02/2010 21:18
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I hate modern buildings and this design is an eyesore but if Ken Livingstone is against it then I'm all for it being built! Odious man.
- Gail, London, 24/02/2010 16:10
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Reality check 'Ken you are not the mayor' butt out an get a life, better still get an education !!!!
- Nick Holland, glasgow, 24/02/2010 15:59
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What is Ken worrying about it looks beautiful,and besides he has no say he is not the Mayor,perhaps so near to the elections he should be organising his rentamob UAL.
- Davey_Bouy, Chertsey, 24/02/2010 15:53
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Until they pay all their parking fines and outstanding congestion charges don't build it anywhere. Kick them all out.
- Julian, London, 24/02/2010 15:43
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i thought it was an englishman whoose home was his castle, are the yanks muscling in now.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk, 24/02/2010 15:00
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Nothing wrong with the American embassy building planned for Battersea, all the doubters including Mr Livingstone should go and take a walk around the area and see the depressing real estate around it drab ugly untidy blocks of concrete. This building gives the area hope.
- Mr S.Port, London, 24/02/2010 14:18
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I love it!
One of the best contemporary designs I have seen for a long time. The USA are our most important allies and should be allowed to build whatever they want.
We owe them a great debt of gratitude.
- Frank, Home Counties, England, 24/02/2010 13:59
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quote
"if I was mayor....."
but you ain't Ken, you never will be again so shut up and go away, you are yesterdays man and not much of one at that.
- Shed, marlboro wilts, 24/02/2010 13:43
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It's too hard to tell from just that one picture, but it doesn't seem too bad - plenty of greenery & water.
I rather suspect that Ken Livingstone's main objection is really that it's a 'American' Embassy. For example, would he be objecting quite so vocally if it were the design for a new Venezuelan Embassy?
I somehow doubt it...
- John, London, 24/02/2010 13:28
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Keith - Boris gave his full support - for 2x42 storey towers at Clapham Junction station which is mostly residential - same borough. I believe the plans have been withdrawn due to residents complaints.
Ken said “mid-American town” but that could be used to describe the whole of the Isle of Dogs - could add souless as well
- Bob, london, 24/02/2010 13:02
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What has this got to do with Ken Livigstone? I expect he doesn't like it because it's not like one of his ego-tower blocks that are ruining London's historic skyline.
- Keith, London, 24/02/2010 12:38
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