Outline Design Proposal for Gothic Revival Tower
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The Proposal is a Contemporary re-imagining 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.
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.
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 a fully Authentically Constructed Neo Gothic Tower ( Loadbearing Stone) , A Stone and Metal Clad Version , or Further downriver, a Fully Hi Tech Contemporary Expression of the Neo Gothic Form.
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
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.
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Location of 1904 Tower Proposal Illustrating view from Upper Levels of Hypothetical Landmark Proposal
Preliminary Evaluation of Hypothetical Proposal & Outline Parameters – using Ai (Grok 3 Beta)
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 