RAF Museum Unveils the Battle of Britain Beacon

[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".

[winny]

More glass would improve it for sure. I think it's a little bit too silver.
But a beacon is supposed to be seen from far away.. and this will definately be seen from a very long way away on a sunny day!

It'll be interesting to see what it eventually ends up looking like.

[Davedog74]

it can be a pair of giant breasts,as long as future generations have something to remind them of the b.o.b,i think it is great,hopefully it will make youngsters pick up a book and learn about it

[philip.ed]

I do agree though; I love London, and although some of it's buildings may be quirky, it has huge charm

[major_setback]

Originally Posted by Splitter

Sorry, Brits, that's just hideous. A memorial, yes. That monstrosity, no way. Much too modern and has no symbolism.

Splitter

+1
Agreed, even if I'm a Brit.

[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.

[Splitter]

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.

I guess next you Europeans will want to put some sort of modern sculpture in front of the Louvre....oh wait....

Yeah, I don't like that one either.

You all have REAL history. Here in the US, we go back maybe 300 years. You all have thousands of years of history and should be preserving the character of some of the oldest places. Save the more modern designs for places without so much history.

The truth is, I have never had the opportunity to actually visit a lot of the European cities I would like to. I usually just get stuck in airports or nearby hotels for meetings and then a quick flight back. I don't want it all to be altered before I get the chance to take in the history at my leisure .

Splitter

[swiss]

Well, the neighborhood where they want to build it is actually a shithole (cheap houses, lots of immigrants), from this point of view there's not much to destroy.

But:

The largest building around I saw was a Metro Police training facility, about 5 stories high.
And the beacon is supposed to be ~120m...