US Embassy | Wandsworth | Prep - Page 3

potto · January 9th, 2009, 09:29 PM

The fact that they have even decided to move the embassy to an urban wasteland away from the diplomatic centre surely means that the old bunker mentality is alive and kicking this project forward. If they build a new Tower of London then it will go nicely with our French one further down the river.

BenL · January 10th, 2009, 02:38 PM

Or simply that there aren't other plots big enough in the centre of London for an embassy of this side which will naturally need decent security as a high-risk building? Creating a an embassy purpose-built for modern threats will make the precautions far less invasive for its neighbours. It's not as if the Americans are alone in requiring protection for its new build embassies; the British embassy in Berlin required the pedestrianisation and road blocks of a decent stretch of road right in the centre of the city.

Awayo · January 10th, 2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by potto

The fact that they have even decided to move the embassy to an urban wasteland away from the diplomatic centre surely means that the old bunker mentality is alive and kicking this project forward. If they build a new Tower of London then it will go nicely with our French one further down the river.

I like it Potto. Nice symbolism. These US installations are imperial headquarters (I've seen the one in Caracas, it's surrounded by concrete walls and mostly underground), not embassies.

Officer Dibble · January 10th, 2009, 03:42 PM

Lords Rogers and Palumbo have joined the panel picking the design for the new embassy, news which I hope will help to counter some of the paranoid xenophobia that has broken out in these parts.
http://www.propertyweek.com/story.as...de=3131188&c=1

the spliff fairy · January 11th, 2009, 07:52 PM

This is the showcase new American Embassy in Berlin. It sits right next to the Brandenburg Gate.

It was named as the 'triumph of banality' by German architecture critics and compared to a high security prison by American critics:

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

(the original site before the war)

The new Embassy in Baghdad, costing $736 million

new $434 million American Embassy in Beijing

the spliff fairy · January 11th, 2009, 08:17 PM

compare the US Embassy in Berlin with the rest of the new embassies:

Nordic:

[img]http://www.*************/architects/viiva/ark%20berliini3.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.*************/architects/bergerparkkinen/cbmp/1.NE-Birdseye.jpg[/img]

Dutch

Mexican

image hosted on flickr

British

image hosted on flickr

...

...and what sits next to the American Embassy, the DZ Bank

...and a reminder, the American Embassy

image hosted on flickr

potto · January 11th, 2009, 09:53 PM

I think Boris should extend the congestion charge zone to cover Battersea

DarJoLe · January 12th, 2009, 02:12 PM

New US embassy likely to be 'a fortress'
12 January, 2009
By Will Henley

The new US embassy in London is likely to be a “fortress”, Richard Rogers, one of the jury members that will select the new building, has acknowledged.

Rogers, speaking at a press event with the newly appointed eight member design panel on Friday, said the new “compound” - which diplomatic sources say could be double the size of the existing Grosvenor Square premises - could still be “beautiful” despite its “very challenging” brief .

He also backed the move away from the embassy’s current location in central London to a larger area close to Terry Farrell’s MI6 building and Battersea power station as “absolutely right”.

“In some ways it is a fortress,” he said. “You need to have some defence ground around [the building]. It’s an absolutely classic embassy situation because it does have security needs. Here [on the south bank] at least you can have landscape, you can have walls, you can have different enrichment.”

“I am delighted to see it move out of Grosvenor Square, not because the square was not right, but because this highly complex system of protection [around the building] made living around that area impossible. So it is absolutely right it has moved.”

The shortlisted architects – which include KPF, Richard Meier and SOM – will have to work within strict security rules, introduced after the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, to strengthen protection of embassy facilities abroad.

British architects have been barred from competing for the competition, although may be allowed to take on sub-contractor roles.

The design jury includes American ambassador Clyde Taylor, Thomas Hicks, Frances Halsband, Peter Rolland, Michaele Pride, Peter Palumbo, and James Carpenter.

Manuel · January 12th, 2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by potto

I think Boris should extend the congestion charge zone to cover Battersea

Or need a return to ticket to Berlin...

Black Cat · January 12th, 2009, 02:41 PM

Its a little unfair to compare the US embassies which have high security requirements with those of other countries whose security requirements are more akin to that of a hotel. However, the embassy is going to be a fortress - the idea of an upriver Tower of London keep structure behind a ring wall is fascinating - though I hope the keep element looks a little more interesting architecturally than that in Beijing. Perhaps it could be a mini-pentagon?

Charbonnier · January 13th, 2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by potto

I think Boris should extend the congestion charge zone to cover Battersea

Charbonnier · January 13th, 2009, 10:09 PM

will the new Embassy affect any potential extension of the charing cross branch down through Vauxhall to Battersea- would it be allowed to run beneath the site of the embassy site for example??? just a thought

high_flyer · January 16th, 2009, 03:56 PM

Why couldn't they redevelop Battersea power station, that would be an iconic embassy!

london lad · January 22nd, 2009, 10:12 PM

Seems that this might not be such a groundscraper.

"Request for a Scoping Opinion on a proposed development within the adjoining Borough of Wandsworth with respect to the development of a new embassy building within the Nine Elms Opportunity Area to the south of the River Thames within the London Borough of Wandworth,. In summary the outline planning application will seek approval for a single new building providing approximately 45,000m2 of primarily Class B1 (office) floor space over approximately 25 floors, together with approximately 250 car parking spaces located over two basement levels. A small number of ancillary buildings would also be built, including a residential annex."

Jaeger · January 22nd, 2009, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by london lad

Seems that this might not be such a groundscraper.

Probably a bunker with a pretend building on top.

LiamF1 · January 23rd, 2009, 01:48 AM

Sounds interesting. 45,000m2... Does anyone know how big will this embassy be compared to other US embassies? Berlin's for example?

high_flyer · January 26th, 2009, 07:11 PM

If its going to be 25 floors, I hope it won't look like the new Beijing embassy

ismail · January 27th, 2009, 02:30 AM

25 floors, so it could be around the 125m mark or over 400 feet

Manuel · January 27th, 2009, 07:58 AM

25 floors...in this remote and not challenging area...I guess the yanks know that they may be able to get away with a cheap option...

london lad · January 27th, 2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manuel

25 floors...in this remote and not challenging area...I guess the yanks know that they may be able to get away with a cheap option...

It wont be a neglected area though. This corridor from Battersea to Vauxhall will be the next big growth area over the next 10-20 years.

The Embassy site is part of Ballymores wider scheme that is being drawn up by Foster. Next door & between this & Battersea Power Station is the riverfront site that an Arab consortium is working up a scheme for.

January 10th, 2009, 03:42 PM	#44
Officer Dibble cartoon policeman Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Londres Posts: 2,972 Likes (Received): 47	Lords Rogers and Palumbo have joined the panel picking the design for the new embassy, news which I hope will help to counter some of the paranoid xenophobia that has broken out in these parts. http://www.propertyweek.com/story.as...de=3131188&c=1 __________________ dibble music

January 11th, 2009, 07:52 PM	#45
the spliff fairy ONE WORLD Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: london Posts: 7,176 Likes (Received): 262	This is the showcase new American Embassy in Berlin. It sits right next to the Brandenburg Gate. It was named as the 'triumph of banality' by German architecture critics and compared to a high security prison by American critics: image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr (the original site before the war) The new Embassy in Baghdad, costing $736 million new $434 million American Embassy in Beijing Last edited by the spliff fairy; January 14th, 2009 at 02:39 PM.

January 11th, 2009, 08:17 PM	#46
the spliff fairy ONE WORLD Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: london Posts: 7,176 Likes (Received): 262	compare the US Embassy in Berlin with the rest of the new embassies: Nordic: [img]http://www.***********/architects/viiva/ark%20berliini3.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.*********/architects/bergerparkkinen/cbmp/1.NE-Birdseye.jpg[/img] Dutch Mexican image hosted on flickr British image hosted on flickr ... ...and what sits next to the American Embassy, the DZ Bank ...and a reminder, the American Embassy image hosted on flickr** Last edited by the spliff fairy; January 11th, 2009 at 08:41 PM.

January 12th, 2009, 02:12 PM	#48
DarJoLe Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Posts: 15,675 Likes (Received): 399	New US embassy likely to be 'a fortress' 12 January, 2009 By Will Henley The new US embassy in London is likely to be a “fortress”, Richard Rogers, one of the jury members that will select the new building, has acknowledged. Rogers, speaking at a press event with the newly appointed eight member design panel on Friday, said the new “compound” - which diplomatic sources say could be double the size of the existing Grosvenor Square premises - could still be “beautiful” despite its “very challenging” brief . He also backed the move away from the embassy’s current location in central London to a larger area close to Terry Farrell’s MI6 building and Battersea power station as “absolutely right”. “In some ways it is a fortress,” he said. “You need to have some defence ground around [the building]. It’s an absolutely classic embassy situation because it does have security needs. Here [on the south bank] at least you can have landscape, you can have walls, you can have different enrichment.” “I am delighted to see it move out of Grosvenor Square, not because the square was not right, but because this highly complex system of protection [around the building] made living around that area impossible. So it is absolutely right it has moved.” The shortlisted architects – which include KPF, Richard Meier and SOM – will have to work within strict security rules, introduced after the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, to strengthen protection of embassy facilities abroad. British architects have been barred from competing for the competition, although may be allowed to take on sub-contractor roles. The design jury includes American ambassador Clyde Taylor, Thomas Hicks, Frances Halsband, Peter Rolland, Michaele Pride, Peter Palumbo, and James Carpenter. __________________ "I can quite confidently and with pride say that if everything goes to plan London 2012 will be the best Olympic Games and will surpass Barcelona and Sydney in terms of atmosphere, style and achievement. And not just about the sport. The whole city and its people will come alive and want to be a part of this. It just feels right." DarJoLe, May 19th 2006.

January 27th, 2009, 02:30 AM	#58
ismail Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: london Posts: 1,966 Likes (Received): 2	25 floors, so it could be around the 125m mark or over 400 feet __________________ I am the Law

January 9th, 2009, 09:29 PM	#41
potto Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Posts: 13,515 Likes (Received): 258	The fact that they have even decided to move the embassy to an urban wasteland away from the diplomatic centre surely means that the old bunker mentality is alive and kicking this project forward. If they build a new Tower of London then it will go nicely with our French one further down the river.

January 10th, 2009, 02:38 PM	#42
BenL Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oxford, London Posts: 1,644 Likes (Received): 0	Or simply that there aren't other plots big enough in the centre of London for an embassy of this side which will naturally need decent security as a high-risk building? Creating a an embassy purpose-built for modern threats will make the precautions far less invasive for its neighbours. It's not as if the Americans are alone in requiring protection for its new build embassies; the British embassy in Berlin required the pedestrianisation and road blocks of a decent stretch of road right in the centre of the city.

January 11th, 2009, 09:53 PM	#47
potto Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Posts: 13,515 Likes (Received): 258	I think Boris should extend the congestion charge zone to cover Battersea

January 12th, 2009, 02:41 PM	#50
Black Cat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,495 Likes (Received): 14	Its a little unfair to compare the US embassies which have high security requirements with those of other countries whose security requirements are more akin to that of a hotel. However, the embassy is going to be a fortress - the idea of an upriver Tower of London keep structure behind a ring wall is fascinating - though I hope the keep element looks a little more interesting architecturally than that in Beijing. Perhaps it could be a mini-pentagon?

January 13th, 2009, 10:09 PM	#52
Charbonnier Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: London Posts: 34 Likes (Received): 0	will the new Embassy affect any potential extension of the charing cross branch down through Vauxhall to Battersea- would it be allowed to run beneath the site of the embassy site for example??? just a thought

January 16th, 2009, 03:56 PM	#53
high_flyer Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: England Posts: 553 Likes (Received): 1	Why couldn't they redevelop Battersea power station, that would be an iconic embassy!

January 22nd, 2009, 10:12 PM	#54
london lad Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London Posts: 8,156 Likes (Received): 45	Seems that this might not be such a groundscraper. "Request for a Scoping Opinion on a proposed development within the adjoining Borough of Wandsworth with respect to the development of a new embassy building within the Nine Elms Opportunity Area to the south of the River Thames within the London Borough of Wandworth,. In summary the outline planning application will seek approval for a single new building providing approximately 45,000m2 of primarily Class B1 (office) floor space over approximately 25 floors, together with approximately 250 car parking spaces located over two basement levels. A small number of ancillary buildings would also be built, including a residential annex."

January 23rd, 2009, 01:48 AM	#56
LiamF1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: London Posts: 297 Likes (Received): 0	Sounds interesting. 45,000m2... Does anyone know how big will this embassy be compared to other US embassies? Berlin's for example?

January 26th, 2009, 07:11 PM	#57
high_flyer Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: England Posts: 553 Likes (Received): 1	If its going to be 25 floors, I hope it won't look like the new Beijing embassy

January 27th, 2009, 07:58 AM	#59
Manuel Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 9,952 Likes (Received): 2	25 floors...in this remote and not challenging area...I guess the yanks know that they may be able to get away with a cheap option... __________________ >>>>>>>>>> Mon album Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/manuel69/<<<<<<<<<<

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