Most Read
Forum Latest
Recent Comment
Advertisement
Advertisement
Rogers designs for Chelsea Barracks 'dead in the water'
26 May, 2009
Developer reported to be set to drop designs in wake of Prince Charles' criticism
Designs by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners for the redevelopment of Chelsea Barracks are set to be dropped by the developers, according to media reports.
The Sunday Times reported this weekend that the plans for the development by Qatari Diar are “dead in the water” and will be withdrawn next month.
A source close to Qatari Diar told the newspaper that the scheme was “no longer on the table” and could be replaced with a design that would reflect the traditional character of the area.
If true, the move would be seen as a victory for Prince Charles, who wrote to the developer criticising the Rogers scheme ahead of a speech at the RIBA earlier this month.
It would infuriate architects already highly critical of the Prince of Wales' intervention in the scheme. Architects such as Will Alsop, Zaha Hadid and Lord Foster urged the prince not to interfere with the workings of the UK's democratic planning system.
A spokesperson for Qatari Diar said that the current planning application had not been withdrawn, but that discussions over the scheme's designs were ongoing.
Readers' comments
If it has only been about "Prince Charles" the developer would have carried on.
It was a victory for democracy and the community; the "leading lights" of RIBA should stop sneering at the people who have to live with their "architecture". >br> There is a mood in UK to push back the corruption, incompetance, insider fixes, and self-serving excesses of our so called "governing elites". Good for London !
Thank goodness for common sense - some architects need to understand that sometimes building design need to be "approproate" as opposed to just "modern". In some areas both are valid - in historic areas this is not always the case. RSH needs to take this on the chin and keep their dignity intact - as opposed to be perceived as grizzling because they didn't get their way.
I am very glad somebody is finally fighting against these so called architects and developers. I live in Docklands where I need to put up with new towers everyday -in ten years they will be the same as all these 60s and 70s blocks -just another waste and bad design
This is wonderful news. The thing that most infuriates me about modernist architects is that they don't want any traditional designs to be built ever. Not a single one. They want a complete monopoly. They are hysterically vitriolic and intolerant towards any alternative ideas. If their own styles were so much better, a few traditional designs would be no threat.
Good news! we need to see past this modernist dogma and build what is fitting and sustainable for the place.