RAF Museum Unveils the Battle of Britain Beacon

[Splitter]

I wish you hadn't mentioned the gherkin. I had to look it up. What are you all doing to that old city?!

Splitter

[philip.ed]

Let's focus on the good....

[Feathered_IV]

A large elliptical wing shape, standing vertically with prominent roundel would have been more appropriate.

[drewpee]

Looks good to me

[major_setback]

Originally Posted by drewpee

Looks good to me

I think Clive James described it as being a 'typewriter full of oyster shells' ...or something similar.
He's right in his description...but it's supremely beautiful anyway, and a tribute to Danish design.
What a great monument.

Here is the great Clive James takes on Sydney; from his masterpiece 'Flying Visits' ...his series of postcard-type reviews of visits to prominent cities:

http://www.clivejames.com/flying-visits/sydney/1

http://www.clivejames.com/flying-visits/sydney/2



Ooooh! What a book!...how I loved to read his encounters of visits to foreign lands...it was just like being there myself.

[d165w3ll]

Originally Posted by Splitter

I wish you hadn't mentioned the gherkin. I had to look it up. What are you all doing to that old city?!

Splitter

London is coming on by leaps and bounds. The great bits are still great. But many of the dowdy old relics have given way to some really remarkable stuff. A trip along the river now is to see a city that no longer tuns its back on the Thames. It's becoming a more integrated city. Look out for 2012, too. Oh, and I don't live there and have never been a fan of the place.

[PeterPanPan]

Not convinced on the exterior design at all. Was it conjured up by the same people who designed the ludicrous London 2012 Olympics logo?

However, the interior design looks spot on. A superb touch to make it look as if the aircraft at the top are frozen in the sky, locked in a perpertual dogfight.

PPanPan

[winny]

I actually quite like the building... Sorry all.

As to what it's supposed to be.. It's a beacon.

The British have a long history of lighting beacons to warn of imminent invasion so it's actually quite apt.

[McQ59]

Monumental and awesome design! Love it.

Will definitely pay a visit.

[Feuerfalke]

Originally Posted by winny

I actually quite like the building... Sorry all.

As to what it's supposed to be.. It's a beacon.

The British have a long history of lighting beacons to warn of imminent invasion so it's actually quite apt.

No need to say sorry for your opinion.

It's interesting to see the different historic and cultural context.
Art (and architecture) is always open for discussion IMHO.


I'd at least open the structure, place a vertical band of glass in the broader sides. It would still resemble the beacon, maybe even improve the impression, especially for the nightly impression, with the vertical beam of light lighting the sky, but originating from the British soil.
In daylight it would definitely increase the impression of the then visible aircraft inside at different "altitudes".