Alsop’s Hotel Vision Unveiled

Ambitious plans for a new riverside hotel at Blackfriars have been unveiled by architects Alsops, and put in for planning.

The 28,000sqm redevelopment of the Number 2 Puddledock and the Mermaid Conference and Event centre would see the creation of an iconic new hotel overlooking the Thames.

The design features a distinctive “triangluated cladding” and its diamond shaped windows permit exceptional views of St Paul’s Cathedral. Included in the plans are provisions for improvements to the public realm surrounding the development, such as enhanced walkways.

The designs have been undertaken by Alsops on behalf of Heatherfield and have now been submitted for planning consent.

What do you think of the designs? Leave your comments below…

RIBA Awards 2009 Recognise City Architecture

The Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA) have announced the results of their 2009 Awards, and the City of London is well represented amongst the winners.

The City of London Information Centre, in St Paul’s Churchyard, and the 5 Aldermanbury Square development were both singled out for recognition. Here’s how RIBA described each building:

City of London Information Centre

This small information centre, though a modest single story, is hard to miss. Which is exactly as it should be, given its function.
Approximately triangular on plan its complex form is derived from two folded plates which coalesce on its central axis, at its broadest entrance facade taking the shape of a butterfly – or a paper aeroplane as the architects describe it. This carapace is elegantly made from crisply detailed mill-finished aluminium panels.
Inside it is clad in vibrant yellow panels, resembling the lining of an expensive suit. The plan works well, with a series of information points arrayed along the fixed counter which runs the length of the building, meaning that large numbers of visitors can be attended to at one time.

5 Aldermanbury Square

The scheme evolved to allow the creation of a new public space connecting Wood Street and Aldermanbury Square to the upper level of the Barbican High Walk. The new 18-storey building sits above the public space and consists of two staggered wings divided by a receding central section that admits light into the triple-height ground floor reception space. The facades are formed in shot-peened stainless steel cladding, and are arranged in double- or triple-height bays giving a strong sense of verticality to the elevations.
The project does much to improve the urban realm particularly Aldermanbury Square itself, by creating, improving and connecting public spaces in an area of the city notoriously difficult to resolve successfully as a result of the 1960s multi-level masterplan.

The awards have been given annually since 1966 and award buildings which have “high architectural standards and make a substantial contribution to the local environment”.

What do you think? Do you think these developments were worthy of recognition? Comments, as always, are welcome below…