RAF Museum Unveils the Battle of Britain Beacon

[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".

[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

[_RAAF_Stupot]

Originally Posted by 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.

I agree, I think if glass was substituted for the metal it would be fantastic. I think part of the idea behind the tower is that the aircraft are up on display in 3 dimensions (ie with a vertical axis as well where you can view them from above, below and the sides, to give some sense of them being in action rather than just as static exhibits), but ironically just having that slit along the side of tower to provide an exterior view makes it claustrophobic in my opinion. Imagine those interior views where all the walls are transparent instead - you'd really feel as if you were up in the air with them. And also imagine how the tower would look at night with the aircraft inside being illuminated.

By the way, the concept of a tower museum where you start at the top and spiral to the bottom isn't completely new - you move through the Guggenheim Modern Art museum in NY this way.

[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