RENOWNED architect Lord Foster has won the bid to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II.
He will transform St James’s Park, outside Buckingham Palace, with the tribute, which will include a statue of her at Marlborough Gate.
An early artist’s impression of the memorial shows the late Queen on horseback[/caption]
Lord Foster has won the bid to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II[/caption]
The glass Unity Bridge inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s wedding day tiara[/caption]
Lord Foster described it as an honour to be awarded the project[/caption]
An early artist’s impression shows her on horseback, but it is not known if it will make the final designs, due next year.
There will also be a statue of the late Duke of Edinburgh on the other side of the park and a glass Unity Bridge inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s wedding day tiara.
A “family of gardens” and a contemporary wind sculpture by artist Yinka Shonibare are included in Lord Foster’s plan.
He described it as an honour to be awarded the project.
Lord Foster, who was the brains behind The Gherkin, the renovated Reichstag in Berlin, and Swindon’s Renault distribution centre, beat four other shortlisted designs.
The world famous architect said his tiara-style bridge was symbolic of the Queen as a “unifying force”.
He said: “I knew the Queen on formal occasions but also enjoyed her informality when attending events as a member of the Order of Merit.
“We have sought to reflect these qualities of the formal and informal in our design, with an appeal across a wide range of ages and interests.
“To these ends, we have discreetly stretched the boundaries of art and technology with a deliberately gentle intervention.
“Our design will have the minimum impact on the nature and biodiversity of the park and it will be phased to ensure that the precious route across it will never be closed.
“At the heart of our masterplan is a translucent bridge symbolic of Her Majesty as a unifying force, bringing together nations, countries, the Commonwealth, charities and the armed forces.”
There will now be talks with potential sculptors to create two new statues for the national memorial.
It is expected to be finished and unveiled in 2026 when the late Queen would have turned 100-years-old.
Plans for the transformation of St James’s Park[/caption]
A contemporary wind sculpture by artist Yinka Shonibare is included in the plans[/caption]
Members of the public will be able to enjoy the gardens[/caption]
