The 2 Faces of London

The Chelsea Barracks saga continues as Prince Charles is accused of applying “inappropriate pressure” on the Qatari royal family who had proposed to build contemporary glass and steel apartments.

It will come as no surprise to anyone that Prince Charles views of ‘Modern architecture’ are pretty strong. Charles famously described a proposed extension to the National Gallery by legendary architecture Richard Rogers as a Carbuncle. 'What is proposed is like a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much loved and elegant friend’

This current self doubt in what we can achieve is highlighted by a recent scheme proposed by Barratt Homes for Horseferry road in the heart of Westminster. Two schemes have been designed, one in a rather bland modern fashion, the second in a pastiche toy town classical design.

My first thought is why spend all that money on two designs instead of putting that money into one singular contemporary piece of architecture with merit. What we have is two diluted designs that neither excite nor offend.

Head down to Tottenham Court Road and beyond the crashing steel sea of barriers, cranes and general mayhem lays a new Quinlan Terry design in a classical styling. Now I am not the biggest fan of Terry as I believe his work can sometimes lack depth and style, however I do agree that anything to improve this somewhat hideous area of Central London is greatly appreciated.

The design is actually very simplistic for Terry; you might even say it has a touch of elegance to it. A new fear of modern architecture seems to be stemming from Westminster councils irrational fear of anything too contemporary. The result being watered down, non offensive glass boxes that destroy the streetscape and give modern architecture a bag name.

It also seems strange to me that the audiences who support this style of buildings are also the same people who watched an authentic original Victorian building be destroyed on this very site. Where was Prince Charles to stop the demolition?

Of course London is an enormous metropolis where anything goes, and the same should be said for Architecture. Of all the visitors, tourists and Londoners I speak with, immense pleasure is gained from viewing historic castles and palaces juxtaposed with contemporary, 21st century architecture.

London has and always will continue to develop to generate money, it is what it does best, and therefore it is inevitable that buildings will be destroyed and replaced. I just pray that more attention can be spent on preserving the real heritage of the city and its beauty rather than creating modern office space with fantasy facades.