News of Prince Charles’ deft hand in halting the controversial Chelsea Barracks project earlier this year has spread fast it seems, as wealthy South Kensington locals have appealed for his aid in preventing plans for a new Iranian Embassy in the centre of London being approved.
Residents in the privileged urban area were outraged when the plans were released as they believe they have been mistreated in the development of their surroundings. It is alleged that the council withheld images of the scheme (which has now been submitted for planning) from its website at the request of the police’s diplomatic protection group, who were concerned about security issues.
This is not the only cause of contention however, as it appears the real source of dispute is the nature of the Embassy’s design. Chairman of the National Trust, Sir Simon Jenkins, commented: “It is inappropriate to locate a strident, modern building in such a sensitive conservation area, next to a magnificent listed church.”
Designed by Vienna-based Iranian architect Dr. Armin Hohsen Daneshgar of Daneshgar Architects, the Iranian embassy will be a six-storey marble and stone structure sporting irregular windows and sharp, clean lines. Perched on the corner of Manson Place and Queensgate Mews the jutting corner of the building will overhang a smaller sub-structure – a contemporary art gallery and cultural centre.
Dr. Daneshgar, lead architect on the project, explained: “I believe the problem is not with the design of the building but more probably with the function of it being used as an Embassy. If we copy the same form of existing buildings at the Queen’s Gate, the problem will continue to exist.”
Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran in London Statement by the architects, Daneshgar Architects:
“In order to have a fair judgment about our design, you need to consider all aspects we have incorporated in the design. One image which is made public in internet doesn’t say the reality about our design.
Basically, we have made local researches for a long time before starting the design. As an architect who is working in one of the most sensible cities like Vienna with much conservation areas, we totally respected the area, analyzed the existing facades of queen’s gate terraces and mews arches, etc and we translated those historic elements into a new modern design. If people see the whole design process we have followed rather then the only image in internet & newspapers, they may believe these claims.
We claim that the form of development proposed, in terms of is site coverage and building’s scale, is consistent with the surrounding density of development. The amount of development proposed takes into account the constraints of the site itself and the need to respect the amenties of adjoining occupiers in terms of sunlight, daylightand the presence of the Grade II* listed church in townscape terms.
I believe the problem is not with the design of the building but more probably with the function of it being used as an Embassy. If we copy the same form of existing buildings at the Queen’s Gate, the problem will continue to exist.”
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