memorials

AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL — LONDON

During a London meeting of the Australian and British Prime Ministers in 2000, agreement was reached on a proposal to establish an Australian War Memorial in central London. The purpose being to commemorate the Service and sacrifice of those Australians who served as allies alongside Britain in the defence of freedom during two World Wars.

Responsibility for carriage of the project was allocated to the Office of Australian War Graves, who then worked collaboratively with a range of London based authorities and agencies in identifying and gaining approval for a suitable site.

Agreements were subsequently gained for a prominent and prestigious site in Hyde Park Corner to be allocated for the design and development of a new Memorial. The historic precinct is located between Hyde Park and Green Park and is best known for the centrally placed Wellington Arch and a series of flanking memorials such as the Royal Artillery Monument and the Machine Gun Corps Memorial.

Situated in the south-west corner of Hyde Park Corner, the site is exposed to the surrounding streets. A substantial area of gently sloping grass provides a natural amphitheatre that will form a perfect gathering space for large numbers of visitors attending ceremonial events such as the annual Anzac Day Dawn Service. Up to 250,000 Australians are present in the UK at any particular time, with more than 750,000 visiting in any year. Given the recent attendance of Australians, in excess of 12,000, to the Gallipoli Anzac Day service, a similar increase is expected among those attending the London service from Anzac Day 2004.

London authorities are planning a comprehensive upgrade of Hyde Park Corner to encourage more people to visit the space and benefit from its numerous attractions. In accepting the site offered, it was understood that the redevelopment plans called for a built form that would act as a visual and acoustic screen, protecting the park interior from traffic intrusion, while providing a visual focal point for the long vista across the sloping lawns. The memorial design needed to respond to these constraints while meeting the brief for an appropriate commemorative element.

	The site on Hyde Park Corner for the Australian War Memorial, London

A Selection Panel comprising veteran organisation representatives, architects and art experts was convened to advise OAWG throughout the establishment of a Competition Brief, conduct of a design competition and selection of a preferred design. Expressions of interest in being considered for the competition were sought from twelve leading firms of Australian architects. The Panel reviewed the resulting submissions and determined a field of four to actually participate in the competition. An eight week period was allowed for the development and presentation of design proposals following which the Panel met to assess the alternatives lodged.

Their unanimous decision was to recommend the design submitted by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Pty Ltd, architects of Sydney and artist Janet Laurence. The same architects had previously won competitions for the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Anzac Parade Canberra and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier within the Australian War Memorial.

The Memorial features a long curving wall of green Australian granite. Set into the wall will be the names of some 24,000 home towns of Australian men and women who served in both World Wars, many never to return home. Shaded across these place names will be the names of battle sites where Australians served and gave their lives in the defence of freedom. In this way, the places where our sons and daughters were born and the places where they fought and died will become inseparable in the minds of those who visit this memorial.

	Computer generated impression of the Australian War Memorial, London (Image produced by C3D Imaging Pty Ltd, Sydney).