AIRPLANE DECOR

St George Wharf, SW8
Lambeth
Broadway Mallion, 2000

God, where to start with this monstrosity? The “airplane propeller” decoration has to get first mention. Is there an aeronautical connection? Nope, although these pinnacles are almost high enough to qualify for a red aircraft warning light. This sprawling mass of ugliness actually succeeds in making the MI6 HQ on the other side of Vauxhall Bridge look beautiful. The green tinted windows would be better suited to a 70s office development than a residential building. Overall, the shape is trying to maximise views to the river, but in doing so gives the whole thing an inelegance that would be bad enough anywhere, but this is a hugely prominent, riverfront site that should have something showstopping on it. The architects claim that “the development's distinctive silhouette ensures the building is one of the Thames' skyline's more recognisable features” – indeed, and for all the wrong reasons.

It would be a saving grace if the owners of the 942 apartments in the scheme could at least not see this building from their flats, but unfortunately the terracing means that every flat can see other flats from its balcony. So you can’t avoid the view of it even by living there. As the cranes attest, yet more flats are being built onto the back of this. It seems that the unglamorous non-residential location and the non-quality architecture is more of a draw than you would think.

Que ma surprise fut grande en voyant cet avion dans la salle de restaurant!!! Decoration du restaurant "Easy steak" a Amiens. (18APR WE Amiens)