This architect, two of whose buildings - in Spain and Germany - were shortlisted for this year's Sterling Prize, for a long time was unable to realize his projects in his homeland, let alone London. In connection with this situation, concerning not only his work, but also the original and innovative English architecture in general, Chipperfield came out with strong criticism of the position of both private and public customers in the UK. According to him, he built almost nothing there, so he had to look for opportunities to implement his projects in other places. His first three buildings appeared in Japan, and they would never have been built in England. His numerous and very significant German projects could not have been implemented in Britain either, Chipperfield said. In his opinion, in Europe, customers are more willing to take responsibility for bold architectural projects, with great respect for architects.
Against the background of this statement, information was received about the approval of the project of the residential building of David Chipperfield in Kensington and the presentation of his project of the office complex in the City.
The Kensington Plan is a six-story, 97-unit luxury condominium that will be built by one of London's most successful developers, Candy & Candy. Approval of this project by the Kensington and Chelsea County Council was achieved only for the third time, as residents of the surrounding neighborhoods had serious objections to it: the new home will replace two Victorian hotels, among the development of the same period. This time, Chipperfield himself was present at the council meeting, who announced that he had changed the design of the building so that it had the same proportions as the surrounding buildings.
Seal House, a ten-story office complex in the City on the banks of the Thames, is yet to be approved by the City. The site of its proposed construction is a site near London Bridge and an important London neoclassical monument - the Fishmanger Hall building from 1835. Due to the fact that the new building will face not only the river, but also Upper Thames Street, it will not have a main facade. A silvery glass volume resembling a fishmonger (fishmonger) will connect the embankment and the street running parallel to it, which is usually overlooked by the rear facades of the Thames-oriented buildings. The walls of the Seal House will be drawn in vertical lines, reminiscent of a pinstrip of City business suits.
