In June 2010, The Architecture Foundation, on behalf of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects, announced the five shortlisted proposals in an open international competition to design a New Aldgate - a temporary landmark and entrance to the City of London - to stand for the duration of 2012. As the 250th anniversary of the destruction of the City gates in 2010, the Aldgate project will fittingly provide a new Aldgate landmark and gateway that will celebrate London's openness and diversity, and the City's role as an international trading centre.
Nearly 100 innovative designs were received from applicants around the world - from places as diverse as Mexico, Germany and Dubai. This international representation was wholly in keeping with the competition's stated aim to celebrate the City's openness to diversity. After much deliberation, five proposals were shortlisted on 11 June 2010. Each shortlisted team then moved on to the next stage of adjudication. The winning proposal was announced on 22 July 2010.
The shortlisted proposals were:
‘London Gate' by DONIS (Netherlands)
‘The Listening Posts' by Foster Lomas Ltd (UK)
‘Aldgate to the World' by Juan Alfonso Galan Arquitecto (UK)
‘Ceci n'est pas une maison' by NORMAL (Canada)
‘Vertical Forest' by Sou Fujimoto Architects (Japan)
Entries were judged anonymously by a panel including Alderman Mike Bear, City of London; Achim Borchardt Hume, Chief Curator, Whitechapel Gallery; Roger France, Master of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects; Sarah Ichioka, Director, The Architecture Foundation; and Peter Murray, Chairman, New London Architecture.
Sponsored by the City Property Advisory Team of the City Corporation