The memorial will be constructed on a site adjacent to the Mall Source:&nbsp Malcolm Reading Consultants/Emily Whitfield-WicksThe government has revealed its highly anticipated shortlist of teams to design a Queen Elizabeth II memorial, with Foster + Partners and Heatherwick Studio among the five contenders Norman Fosters eponymous architecture practice leads a design team including British interdisciplinary artist Yinka Shonibare and French landscape architect Michel Desvigne.Thomas Heatherwicks firm heads up a team including British sculptor Halima Cassell, landscape architect MRG Studio, and multidisciplinary practices Webb Yates and Arup.The three other shortlisted teams are led by: architecture practice WilkinsonEyre; landscape architect J&L Gibbons with William Matthews Associates; and landscape architect and garden designer Tom Stuart-Smith with Jamie Fobert Architects.AdvertisementThe winner, set to be announced later this year, will design a historic memorial to the UKs longest-serving monarch for a site next to Buckingham Palace in Londons St Jamess Park.Shortlist of design teams for Queen Elizabeth II memorial (full teams below)Foster + Partners with Yinka Shonibare and Michel Desvigne PaysagisteHeatherwick Studio with Halima Cassell, MRG Studio, Webb Yates and ArupJ&L Gibbons with Michael Levine RDI, William Matthews Associates, Structure Workshop and ArupTom Stuart-Smith with Jamie Fobert Architects, Adam Lowe (Factum Arte) and Structure WorkshopWilkinsonEyre with Lisa Vandy and Fiona Clark, Andy Sturgeon Design, Atelier One and Hilson MoranThe five-strong shortlist was selected following the first stage of a two-stage open design competition organised by Malcolm Reading Consultants. The competition closed to entries on 20 January, concluding a 39-day entry window.Teams entering stage one had to submit a 12-page expression of interest, including examples of their work relevant to the memorial vision as set out by a memorial committee and details of their unique multidisciplinary skills.The five teams now competing in the second and final stage have been briefed to create a memorial masterplan that celebrates Queen Elizabeth IIs extraordinary life of service and provides a space for pause and reflection.The finalists are currently working up their design concepts, which they will be required to submit later in the spring for review by a selection panel, according to the Cabinet Office.AdvertisementThe winner will be announced in summer. All five teams team will receive a 50,000 honorarium for their stage two designs.The final design will be formally revealed in April 2026, in what would have been Queen Elizabeths 100th anniversary year.The memorial masterplan site incorporates a section of St Jamess Park next to The Mall and land surrounding a pathway down to the parks lake, including its Blue Bridge. As well as design, assessment criteria for the memorial competition include value for money, placemaking experience and visitor experience.An artist or sculptor will be added to whichever team wins the competition, with the approval of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, to design a figurative representation of the late monarch. This appointment will also be announced in summer 2025.The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee is an advisory body jointly established by the UK Government and Royal Household in 2023. Chaired by the late Queens former private secretary, Lord Robin Janvrin, it comprises eight senior figures from across British public life.Speaking in December, Janvrin said the challenge for stage-two competition finalists would be to evoke memories of Queen Elizabeth IIs outstanding contribution to national life and to tell the story of Her Majestys long reign through an original masterplan that is sensitive to the unique setting.He added: The memorial must be simply a beautiful place, somewhere to visit with family and friends, to enjoy and to reflect on an extraordinary life.The memorial has a provisional construction budget in the range of 23-46 million, excluding VAT.Shortlist of design teams for Queen Elizabeth II memorial (full teams)Foster + Partners with Yinka Shonibare and Michel Desvigne PaysagisteFoster + Partners Creative lead; contractual lead; architect; structural and MEP engineer; landscape and horticulture; lighting designer; sustainability; principal designerYinka Shonibare ArtistMichel Desvigne Paysagiste Landscape architectPurcell Heritage consultantGardiner & Theobald Project manager and cost consultant2x4 Digital designer and wayfinding consultantNigel Dunnett Studio Ecology consultantDavid Bonnett Associates Accessibility consultantArup Logistics and security consultantDP9 Planning consultantEckersley OCallaghan Glass structure engineersHeatherwick Studio with Halima Cassell, MRG Studio, Webb Yates and ArupHeatherwick Studio Creative lead, contractual lead, architect, landscape architectHalima Cassell Creative lead, artistMRG Studio Landscape architect and horticultural specialistGiles Quarme Architects Heritage architectWebb Yates Structural rngineerTerritory Studio Digital designerHost Project manager, cost consultantMontague Evans Planning consultantAequitas Global Commonwealth specialistThe Stonemasonry Company Material specialist2-3 Degrees Engagement specialistBarker Langham Interpretation and curation, wayfinding consultantSpeirs + Major Lighting designerCAE Accessibility consultantArup Sustainability, ecology, MEP engineering, security, logisticsJ&L Gibbons with Michael Levine RDI, William Matthews Associates, Structure Workshop and ArupJ&L Gibbons Landscape architect, creative and contractual leadWilliam Matthews Associates Architect and bridge designerMichael Levine Production designer, artistLichfields Planning consultantPurcell Heritage consultantStructure Workshop - Structural engineerArup Civil engineering, MEP engineering, Accessibility, Sustainability, Logistics and SecurityPentagram Digital designer, Interpretation and wayfinding consultantPlan A Project managerHennessy Godden Cost consultantPFB CDM principal designer adviserSpeirs + Major Lighting designerDr Henrik Sjoman Horticulture and treesTom Stuart-Smith with Jamie Fobert Architects, Adam Lowe (Factum Arte) and Structure WorkshopTom Stuart-Smith Studio Creative lead, landscape architectJamie Fobert Architects Contractual lead, architectFactum Arte ArtistGardiner & Theobald Project manager, cost consultantThe Planning Lab Planning consultantPurcell Heritage consultant, principal designer CDMThe Parks Agency Historic landscape consultantStructure Workshop Structural engineerHolmes Studio Digital designer, interpretation and curationTony Kirkham MBE Arboricultural expertLandmark Trees Arboricultural consultantThe Landscape Partnership EcologyGoss Consulting Accessibility consultantSpeirs + Major Lighting designerWilkinsonEyre with Lisa Vandy and Fiona Clark, Andy Sturgeon Design, Atelier One and Hilson MoranWilkinsonEyre Creative lead, contractual lead and architectLisa Vandy ArtistFiona Clarke ArtistAndy Sturgeon Garden Design Landscape architectDP9 Planning consultantTownscape consultancy Heritage consultantHilson Moran MEP engineerAtelier One Structural engineerRAA Digital and exhibition designerOPERA Project managerCore 5 Cost consultantSpeirs + Major Lighting designer2025-02-25Anna Highfieldcomment and share