monument: new public space

A shimmering glass pavilion and new public square will appear next to the City of London’s most historic landmark almost 350 years after it was first built to commemorate the Great Fire of London, as part of the City’s Street Scene Challenge initiative. The contemporary glass and stone pavilion designed by bere:architects will appear next to the Monument in January.

	A new public square will be created as part of Monument Street is pedestrianised
	There will be discrete sculptural elements, with over 100 pieces of angled mirrored glass on the roof reflecting the flaming golden orb at the top of the Monument
The views will reward those visitors who climb to the top of the landmark and look back down into the square

 
A new public square will be created as part of Monument Street is pedestrianised, marking the extent of Wren’s original Monument Yard between Fish Street Hill and Pudding Lane; the pavement resurfaced in York and Caithness stone and granite. The creation of the square includes the landscaping of the area around the pavilion and an oak-decked garden suspended over the derelict basement of the former Canoe House, to create an attractive outdoor space with seating for the enjoyment of City residents, workers and visitors.

A commemorative flagstone will also be laid to Robert Hooke (1635-1703), the often-overlooked inventor, architect and co-designer of The Monument with Sir Christopher Wren. bere:architects’ pavilion will incorporate a reference to the universal joint, one of Hooke’s many inventions.

The project is part of the City of London’s Street Scene Challenge initiative, which enhances the City’s streets by reclaiming them from traffic in collaboration with respected architects, designers and artists.

This is the latest in a series of projects that has recently seen the creation of a new public square by Eric Parry Architects (Aldermanbury Square), a Riverside Walkway along the north bank of the Thames (also with bere:architects) and the redevelopment of large swathes of the street level landscape in the City of London.

Justin Bere of bere:architects says: ‘We are delighted that the City of London has been adventurous enough in its commissioning to give us the freedom to design this unusual pavilion. It appears to be casually placed in Monument Square but on closer examination has a precise sculptural relationship to the Monument. We hope it adds another, modern dimension to the experience of visiting this great landmark.;

Street Scene Challenge Initiative
The City of London’s Street Scene Challenge initiative was set up in 2003 to manage the appearance of streets, enhance the public realm and street level environment and facilitate the flow of both pedestrian and motor traffic around the City of London. Traffic has been reduced in the City by 25 per cent overall, with a 40 per cent reduction in the central City area as a result of the City’s management of vehicular movement.

Through Street Scene, the City of London is continually working to improve the appearance, function and safety of the City’s streets, to provide a high quality environment that is fitting for the world’s leading financial and business centre.
Whilst every scheme is different, in general Street Scene schemes are funded by a partnership between the City of London and other interested parties such as private developers, building owners and occupiers, Transport for London and regeneration organisations. The City of London's contribution can vary depending on the size and nature of schemes but the funding derived from parking income,
which, by law, must be spent on local highway improvements, and also from contributions made through Section 106 planning agreements.

Other forthcoming Street Scene projects include the development of a Riverside Walkway along the north bank of the Thames between Embankment and Tower Hill, improvement to public spaces and the pedestrianisation and enhancement of the Queen Street and King Street area of the City.For further information about Street Scene Challenge: email lucy@theresasimon.com