Practice beats big names including Heatherwick Studio and Wilkinson Eyre to win 拢46m St James鈥檚 Park scheme
Foster & Partners has been named as the winner of the competition to design a 拢46m national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II.
Norman Foster鈥檚 practice triumphed over a high-profile shortlist of five with a design for a 鈥渇amily of gardens鈥� on the chosen site in St James鈥檚 Park.
The other finalists in the prestigious competition, launched in December last year, were Heatherwick Studio, Wilkinson Eyre and landscape architects Tom Stuart-Smith and J&L Gibbons.
Fosters鈥� concept features a series of gardens dedicated to the Commonwealth and communities of the UK, a statue of the late Queen, figurative sculptures and a new Prince Philip gate.
These spaces will be linked by a network of paths and a new bridge, replacing the existing 1950s Blue Bridge which crosses the park鈥檚 lake.
> Also read: In pictures: Five proposals for Queen Elizabeth II Memorial unveiled
New images published today show more detail of the proposed bridge, which will be wider in the middle of its span and feature a cast-glass balustrade inspired by Queen Elizabeth鈥檚 wedding tiara.
The winning team includes artist Yinka Shonibare and landscape designer, Michel Desvigne.
Norman Foster said the design aimed to capture both the formality of the Queen鈥檚 public role and the essence of her character when out of the public eye.
鈥淚 knew The Queen on formal occasions but also enjoyed her informality when attending events as a member of the Order of Merit,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e have sought to reflect these qualities of the formal and informal in our design, with an appeal across a wide range of ages and interests. To these ends, we have discreetly stretched the boundaries of art and technology with a deliberately gentle intervention.鈥�
Robin Janvrin, chair of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, said the winning design was an 鈥渁mbitious and thoughtful masterplan [that] will allow us and future generations to appreciate Queen Elizabeth鈥檚 life of service as she balanced continuity and change with strong values, common sense and optimism throughout her long reign.鈥�
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden added: 鈥淨ueen Elizabeth II was admired around the globe. Foster & Partners鈥� fantastic design concept will be a beautiful memorial to Her life and legacy of public service. Situated in the heart of our capital, it will be a space to reflect on and celebrate our longest reigning Monarch for centuries to come.鈥�
The site includes two areas either side of the park鈥檚 lake, adjacent to The Mall at Marlborough Gate and adjacent to Bird Cage Walk. The proposals are aiming to minimise any impact on the nature and biodiversity of the park and will be phased to ensure that routes across it will remain open.
Fosters will now develop its initial concept with the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee and select a sculptor to design the memorial鈥檚 figurative element. The committee will announce the sculptor later this year.
The final design will be formally announced in April 2026, alongside a legacy programme, to coincide with what would have been Queen Elizabeth鈥檚 100th birthday year.
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