Instead of designing an extension to the elegant facade of the National Gallery which complements it and continues the concept of columns and domes, it looks as if we may be presented with a kind of municipal fire station, complete with the sort of tower that contains the siren. I would understand better this type of high-tech approach if you demolished the whole of Trafalgar Square and started again with a single architect responsible for the entire layout, but what is proposed is like a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend.


30 May 1984

Internet Archive A speech by HRH The Prince of Wales at the 150th anniversary of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

Charles III Quotes

Instead of designing an extension to the elegant facade of the National Gallery which complements it and continues the concept of columns and domes,...

Instead of designing an extension to the elegant facade of the National Gallery which complements it and continues the concept of columns and domes,...

Instead of designing an extension to the elegant facade of the National Gallery which complements it and continues the concept of columns and domes,...

Instead of designing an extension to the elegant facade of the National Gallery which complements it and continues the concept of columns and domes,...