Cleopatra’s Kiosk, London

Cleopatra’s Kiosk London

Cleopatra’s kiosk, London
International Design Competition. First Prize.
organizer: RIBA-Royal Institute of British Architects
Client: Samuel Alexander Ltd. London
Year: 2003-2007
Address: 7 Victoria Embankment, London WC2N 5AQ, United Kingdom
Stato: completed

This building originates from the winning design of a design competition managed by RIBA to design a kiosk to replace an older structure for selling boat tickets, souvenirs, and ice cream overlooking the River Thames in front of the Charing Cross metro station and under the Golden Jubilee Bridge in Central London. The kiosk takes its name from the Cleopatra’s Needle obelisk situated nearby.
The new kiosk is a vaguely zoomorphic flexible structure, completely clad in stainless steel, which changes its spatial and functional layout by moving two large doors, one sliding and one swinging, made of steel and curved translucent glass.