Sign in Subscribe
Weddings

Lord Foster Wins Bid to Design National Memorial to Queen Elizabeth II

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Lord Foster, renowned architect behind iconic designs such as The Gherkin in London, has been awarded the contract to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II. The memorial, located in St James's Park, will feature a new bridge inspired by the Queen's wedding tiara, a statue of the Queen in a new civic space, and a "family of gardens" with meandering paths and a new translucent, glass unity bridge. Lord Foster's design aims to capture both the formal and informal qualities of the late Queen, reflecting her ability to bring people together.

Key Takeaways:

  • The memorial, designed by Lord Foster, will feature a new bridge inspired by the Queen's wedding tiara, a symbol of her "unifying force" and ability to bring people together.
  • The bridge will be translucent, with cast-glass balustrades, and will feature braille inscriptions along the handrail.
  • The memorial will also include a statue of the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, side by side at the Prince Philip Gate.
  • The design will be subject to change, with the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee working with Lord Foster's team to finalize the plans.
  • The memorial is expected to be unveiled in 2026, which would have been the late Queen's 100th birthday year.
  • The winning team includes artist Yinka Shonibare, ecologist Professor Nigel Dunnett, landscape architect Michel Desvigne Paysagiste, and other experts in their fields.
  • The memorial will feature potential for audio installations of the Queen's voice, as well as a contemporary wind sculpture and a communities of the UK garden.

Statistics:

  • The bridge will be gently wider in the middle to create more space for visitors using the crossing, in comparison to the narrow, existing blue bridge.
  • The design features potential for audio installations of the Queen's voice, with specific details to be determined later.
  • The membrane structure of the bridge will be 1,000 sq m in size.
  • The memorial is expected to be completed in 2026.

Sources:

  • "Lord Foster: 'Our tribute to the Queen is not just a monument, it's a place of contemplation'." PA news agency, [no date].
  • [Original article]

Read more