Worldwide competition launched by RIBA to design a new Scotland Yard

Courtesy of Simon Heath

A worldwide competition to design a new Metropolitan Police HQ has been launched by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The force is moving from its landmark New Scotland Yard site in Westminster, central London as part of cost cutting measures. The project on behalf of the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will involve the redevelopment of the existing and currently unoccupied Curtis Green MPS building located on the Victoria Embankment, London, SW1. Roger Harding MPS – Director of Real Estate Development said: “The opportunity to create a modern efficient working environment for the Met’s future headquarters, with world-class architecture that provides value for money and is alive to the history of the building provides a wonderful challenge.”

The Curtis Green Building named after architect William Curtis Green sits within the Whitehall Conservation Area between the Norman Shaw Building and the Ministry of Defence. It faces onto the Victoria Embankment with views across the River Thames to London County Hall, Westminster Bridge and the London Eye.

The Invited Design Competition is asking architects/practices to produce a design to provide a state-of-the-art HQ for the MPS that also respects the heritage and location of the building and which will deliver value for money for the MOPAC and the Met.

Said Harding: “We look forward to working with RIBA as the competition progresses and to seeing the designs. The transformation of Curtis Green fits with our wider objective to deliver a more efficient and higher quality estate which meets the operational needs of the Met and is significantly lower in cost to run.”

The original building, constructed as an annexe to the original New Scotland Yard, had no significant front entrance. A new modern, efficient and highly visible entrance and reception will be an important part of the design.

Expressions of interest (EOI) are sought from architects/practices worldwide, following which up to five architects/practices will be invited to develop concept designs for the project. Each of the short-listed architects/practices will receive an honorarium payment of £6,000 (+VAT) and be invited to present their proposals to a Judging Panel at a final assessment. The Judging Panel will include architect Bill Taylor, Taylor Snell acting as the RIBA Adviser.

For further details about the Curtis Green Metropolitan Police Service New HQ Building and how to register for the competition visit www.architecture.com/competitions| and follow the link to Live Competitions. Deadline for receipt of expressions of interest is 2.00pm on Thursday 27 June 2013.