Department of State Selects Final Architectural Firms To Prepare Designs for the New London Embassy

10 March 2009

(from the U.S. Department of State)

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) announced that four architectural firms have been selected for the final phase of the design competition for the new United States Embassy in London.

The four firms, Kieran Timberlake; Morphosis Architects; PEI Cobb Freed & Partners; and Richard Meier & Partners, Architects presented the best qualifications to design the New London Embassy that will represent the highest international architectural standards.

An OBO panel used a thorough and rigorous evaluation process to initially review 37 submissions in the first round of the design competition. The nine firms selected for the second round provided presentations over two days to a distinguished jury of American and British leaders in the fields of architecture, academics and diplomacy. The jury then selected four firms to mov e to the final phase of the design competition.

This diverse group of finalists will explore the symbolism of the embassy, its image, and position in the cityscape of London. Their goal is to create a building and site complex that has timeless quality and represents the United States appropriately in the United Kingdom.

In November 2009, the four firms will present their three-dimensional models to the jury. The winning firm's design will be developed for construction of the New Embassy in London on the Nine Elms site.

The New London Embassy will speak to the time-honored relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom as strong and close allies. The building will reflect the values of the American people and reflect the spirit of our times.

For more information, please contact Jonathan Blyth on +1 703-875-4131 or via e-mail BlythJJ@state.gov.