Outline Design Proposal for Gothic Revival Tower (2018)
The Proposal is a Contemporary re-imagining from 2018 of an earlier unbuilt Proposal for a Gothic Revival Tower. It was conceived as an Imaginary Project for the same Location as that put forward in 1904. Proposition for a Contemporary Adaptation of this Gothic Revival Tower as a Counterweight to other Tall Buildings planned for Central London. The Proposal may also lend itself to other Locations – ie. Somewhere along Thames Bank etc.
The Proposal is both a ‘What if’ response to the other Tall Building proposals planned for London and an exercise in re-imagining something Monumental from a Bygone Era. Ai Images from 2025
Being a Gothic Revival Proposal, the emphasis is on Verticality throughout. This is reflected in the Fenestration treatment, the Undercroft, Spires and Buttressing , and by the Two-Tier Panoramic Elevators at the four corners. Design Intent is for a Building continuously animated by elevators with a ‘Jewel like’ effect when viewed by Night from the Thames etc. Proposition for a Contemporary Adaptation of a Gothic Revival Tower as a Counterweight to other Tall Buildings planned for Central London.
Outline / Iterative Sketches / Block Models (2018-20)
Access for Public to SkyGarden via Glazed Elevators at corners enclosed by Stone / Glass Clad Buttresses offering 2 way viewing Experience & presenting a Jewel like effect at night. The Building would be continuously animated by two-tier coloured elevators, rising from a ground level undercroft to a glazed Public Space at the uppermost levels. Concept somewhat inspired by the LeadenHall Building Elevator Bank. Superstructure to be Contemporary structural Steel frame / floor plate with Square / Octagonal shaped core. Floor to floor height ~ 4m. Gothic Facade embellishment in stone / metal. The Computer Generated 3D Model is an iteration of a potential Steel Frame only – the Freehand Elevational Sketches denote the current Design Intent.
Depending on Location, The Proposal might work either as an Authentically Constructed Neo Gothic Tower (Loadbearing Stone elements combined with Steel for structural stability in places) , A Stone / Metal Clad Version with a Steel Superstructure, or Further downriver, a Fully Hi Tech Contemporary Expression of the Neo Gothic Form. Ai Powered Robotic Fabrication might be used to expedite and control the creation of much of the Proposed Facade embellishment whilst maintaining relative cost viability.
The Rationale of placing the Elevator access for Public visitors at the four corners is as follows…
- Creates a Dynamic feature of this Elevator access in order to provide Visual Interest.
- Reduces the Internal Building Core size and subsequently increases net lettable / usable floor area.
- Provides a modern interpretation of Buttressing either constructed in Stone or expressed Steel Frame.
Sketch Cross Section through Undercroft : Elevator access & Glazed Gridshell enclosure to Lobby
A Schematic calculation has been made to estimate a potential Revenue Stream from Tourism by suggesting the number of Daily Elevator ascents to the Viewing Level and extrapolating over time. Refer to Link below.
WordPress Website skylinesuggestion.wordpress.com (2020)
Location of 1904 Tower Proposal Illustrating view from Upper Levels of Hypothetical Landmark Proposal
Preliminary Evaluation of Hypothetical Proposal & Outline Parameters – using Grok 3 Beta Ai (2025)
ReEvaluated for Glazed Elevators Feature, Ticketed Access & Thames Waterfront Setting
Further Evaluation for adding 20 Floors of Office Space, Display of Artifacts & Ground Level Cafes / Gift Shops
Further Evaluation for Integration of Daily Feature Lighting Display and Presence of ‘BatterSea BioDome’
ArchiAssets 