The British government has unveiled five concepts for the closer selection for the Memorial Queen Elizabeth II, which are to be located in the historically significant landscape of St. James Park in London. The suggestions that are now accessible via a newly launched online gallery are an important phase of developing a national homage to the deceased monarchs. The public feedback on the issues issued will be collected by May 19, 2025 and the decision of the committee about the winning team, which is expected to be announced in early summer 2025, will be informed. The final design is expected to be unveiled in 2026 and with the 100th century of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II.
The commemoration project is supervised by Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, which was founded in 2023 by the British government in cooperation with the Royal HouseHold. Under the chair of Lord Janvrin, the former private secretary of the late queen, the committee emphasized public commitment as a central component of the selection process. The memorial is located along the shopping center and has a deep ceremonial and personal response. According to the winning team's announcement, the further development will include the planning of permits and the appointment of an artist to create a figurative representation of the queen.
The shortlist contains five multidisciplinary teams, which are guided by prominent architecture and design practices, each of which works with artists, engineers and landscape architects to propose different visions for the memorial. The selected teams include Foster + Partner with Yinka Shonibar and Michel Desvigne Paysagiste; Heatherwick Studio with Halima Cassell, MRG Studio, Webb Yates and Arup; J & L Gibbons with Michael Levine RDI, William Matthews Associates, Structure Workshop and Arup; Tom Stuart-Smith with Jamie Fobert Architects, Adam Lowe (Factum Arte) and Structural Workshop; and Wilkinoneyre with Lisa Vandy and Fiona Clark, Andy Sturgeon Design, Atelier One and Hilson Moran. Each proposal reflects a unique interpretation of the memory and is based on various creative disciplines to form a space of national and cultural response.
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The architectural heritage of Queen Elizabeth's 70 -year reign
Foster + partner With Yinka Shonibar and Michel Desvigne Landschaftsstütz
The proposal of Foster + Partners for the monument of Queen Elizabeth II presents a uniform landscape that reflects the role of the late monarch in the merging of humans, communities and nations. The design supports John Nashs originally romantic vision and demonstrates a sequence of royal gardens, which are connected by a natural stone path related from Great Britain and the Commonwealth. The path is designed in such a way that they accommodate both commuters and visitors. A new figurative sculpture by Queen Elizabeth II. With Prince Philip, the relocated Marlborough goal and Prince Philip Gate am Birdcage Walk. Between them, the Commonwealth Garden and the wind sculpture of Yinka Shonibar form a reflective space, while the community garden offers installations for celebrating the cultural diversity of Great Britain. The Unity Bridge serves as a central landmark along the route. Audio installations and inscriptions in the entire location contain the queen's voice and create a continuous narrative presence within the monument.
Heatherwick Studio With Halima Cassell, Mrg studioPresent Webb YatesAnd Built (Bridge of togetherness)
The design focuses on the topic of togetherness and reflects Queen Elizabeth II's commitment to unity. At the core there is a new meeting room in St. James's Park, which is part of a walk in memorial walk who honors her 70-year reign. The path is shown by 70 lily pads -shaped jumping stones, each with reflections of voices about the Commonwealth and the areas. A figurative sculpture by the queen is located in the center of the route, protected by a canopy of eight sculptural lilies, which frame her presence in the historical landscape. The use of limestone emphasizes a material quality that is getting older and reinforces the calm, monumental character of the design. The monument rooted in the landscape is designed as an open and integrative space and welcomes visitors from all areas.
J&L Gibbons with Michael Levine RDIPresent William Matthews AssociatesPresent Structure workshopAnd Built
The proposal provides a stone bridge that crosses over earth, roots and water and is part of an immersive landscape in St. James's Park. Using stone from the four nations, the structure follows a meandering path under the tree roof, whereby the seasonal planting contributes to a dynamic visual experience. The design includes flowing water, which interacts with the surface of the lake and encompasses a network of Glanz that promotes a quiet movement through the room. The bridge and the landscape should absorb increased number of visitors and react to developing environmental conditions. In the existing parking landscape, he integrates narrative elements in connection with Queen Elizabeth II. The life of Queen Elizabeth II to complement the character of the park with a processed and permanent use of materials.
Tom Stuart-Smith with Jamie Fobert ArchitectsAdam Lowe (Factum Arte) and structure workshop
Tom Stuart-Smith's proposal with Jamie Fobert Architects, Adam Lowe (Factum Arte) and Structural Workshop is designed as a landscape of storytelling, which is structured by objects associated with the life and era of Queen Elizabeth II of Queen. In the middle is an oak tree from the windsor Great Park, which is placed on a base in the lake. The tree serves as a focal point within the composition and refers to continuity and tradition. A curved stone bridge connects the monument with its surroundings and acts both as a passage and as a room for collecting. The path begins at a newly designed entrance in the shopping center and has stones from all over the UK. On the route, bronze fun of personal and symbolic objects are accompanied by a sound landscape of recorded reflections. The serpentine layout is intended to accommodate a wide range of visitors, whereby the monument is integrated into the existing park landscape in order to maintain continuity with its historical environment.
WilkinonerE with Lisa Vandy and Fiona Clark, Andy Sturgeon Design, Atelier One and Hilson Moran
The design is inspired by the most important aspects of Queen Elizabeth II life and inheritance. A series of paths and landscapes are integrated into the natural environment of St. James Park, whereby its trees, their lake and the terrain are included. This layout creates a reflective journey that recognizes its seven decades of service, whereby paths such as Reign, Faith, Commonwealth, values, nature, family and prince philip represent. The monument contains spaces for reflection and encourages visitors to personally connect with their lives and their values. In its middle, two bridges comprise the lake and frame the view of the park, the royal palaces and the skyline in London. The design aims to improve the public movement and at the same time have a slight influence on the list of class I's list and contribute to a permanent homage to the queen.
In other news from London, Serpentine has announced the piece Pavilion, which was designed by the British architect Peter Cook in cooperation with the Lego group and opened on June 11 for the world game day. In addition, Marina Tabassum was selected to design the 2025 serpentine pavilion with the title “A Capsule in Time”. Inspired by the temporary nature of architecture in the Bengalen Delta, the pavilion is opened on June 6, 2025 and aims to promote a sense of community.