In the coming days, it will once again be the focus of global attention as the world prepares for its platinum anniversary celebrations.
With the possible exception of the White House, Buckingham Palace is probably the most famous and instantly recognizable house in the world.
But how can this be in the future? The palace has gone through numerous expansions and renovations during its 350-year history, so more is likely to come.
In honor of this grand anniversary, Country Life magazine (respectfully noting that the building looks a bit ‘terrifying’) invited some of Britain’s leading architects to imagine what future generations of the Mall might find.
Buckingham Palace (pictured), with its Portland stone façade remodeled by John Nash in the 1820s, is considered “boring” by some architects.
Francis Terry has a larger porch, domes, tree-frames, and a colossal winged statue at the top to portray a “frosty silhouette.” He said: ‘I am extraordinary in my profession because I really love Buckingham Palace. † † Except for these minor adjustments, it should remain as is’
Natasha Brown’s vision of a flooded London. She says: “Training corgi can be tough”
Ptolemy Dean builds a magnificent bridge and opens the quadrangle behind it
Mark Hoare replaces the railing with a moat and lots of fruit trees. Also adds gilding and roof pavilions
Robert Kerr and Robert Cox envision new large wings, an extra floor and a giant central dome on the east façade.
Ross Sharpe adds trees along a low facade. He told Country Life that this new look “has a more interesting pace and approach”… London’s skyline is a wonder, and here’s an attempt to add a touch of quirkiness
While the architectural profession is famous for such monuments, luckily no one suggested tearing this thing down and starting over.
One proposal by Ptolemy Dean (whose duties included looking after Westminster Abbey) includes removing the central portion of the east façade.
He would turn this famous balcony into a bridge. This way, the public could see the lesser-known quadrangle inside.
Country Life Magazine asked several architects to redesign Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee issue.
Robert Kerr and Robert Cox of Adam Architecture support a major expansion with new wings extending from the existing east façade to the public railings, an additional floor and a giant dome in the centre.
They said this would give Buckingham Palace “the aura, majesty and confident splendor it deserves”. Maybe, even if it doesn’t seem like much now.
Natasha Brown of Giles Quarme Architects envisions a “Buckingham Waterworld” with a rooftop garden lined with native trees, after climate change has flooded central London.
Ross Sharpe of Yiangou proposes a row of trees along a low façade and “statues of dignified figures that no generation can deny.” Good luck on that list.
Mark Hoare of Hoare Ridge & Morris removes the railings and replaces them with a moat and many fruit trees. Upstairs, it adds multiple gilding and roof pavilions connected to a central dome on the Mall axis.
Finally, Francis Terry wants to add domes to either end, trees to the front, and a giant winged statue on top.
It could be more fascinating, but I think the palace looks more like an inflated French ministry than the seat of the monarchy.
Most agree on at least one thing. Whatever happens in the future, the royal family will almost certainly get on that balcony.
Source: Daily Mail
