The studio, in collaboration with artist and sculptor Halima Cassell, were selected, along with four other firms, following the first stage of a two-stage open competition.
The new national memorial for her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will serve as a lasting tribute to the monarch’s extraordinary life, decades of dedicated service, and profound impact on the nation and the Commonwealth. Situated in St James Park, on a site of the popular Blue Bridge, the memorial will provide a space for reflection, remembrance, and inspiration for future generations.
Thomas Heatherwick, founder and design director of Heatherwick studio said: “We’re excited to be shortlisted for the memorial. Queen Elizabeth II was a remarkable leader, and our job as designers is to now capture her particular form of leadership and commitment to community, in an extraordinary place that millions of people can visit.”
The final design will be formally announced in April 2026, to coincide with what would have been
Queen Elizabeth’s hundredth birthday year.
The full team is:
Heatherwick Studio – Creative Lead, Contractual Lead, Architect, Landscape Architect
Halima Cassell – Creative Lead, Artist
MRG Studio – Landscape Architect & Horticultural Specialist
Giles Quarme Architects – Heritage Architect
Webb Yates – Structural Engineer
Territory Studio – Digital Designer
Host – Project Manager, Cost Consultant
Montagu Evans – Planning Consultant
Aequitas Global – Commonwealth Specialist
The Stonemasonry Company – Material Specialist
2-3 Degrees – Engagement Specialist
Barker Langham – Interpretation & Curation, Wayfinding Consultant
Speirs + Major – Lighting Designer
CAE – Accessibility Consultant
Arup – Sustainability, Ecology, MEP Engineering, Security, Logistics
The other shortlisted teams are:
Foster + Partners with Yinka Shonibare and Michel Desvigne Paysagiste
J&L Gibbons with Michael Levine RDI, William Matthews Associates, Structure Workshop and Arup
Tom Stuart-Smith with Jamie Fobert Architects, Adam Lowe (Factum Arte) and Structure Workshop
WilkinsonEyre with Lisa Vandy and Fiona Clark, Andy Sturgeon Design, Atelier One and Hilson Moran
Image: © Kirill (stock.adobe.com)