Holocaust memorial near Parliament hits wall of opposition

A leading architect’s design for a Holocaust memorial has come under fire from critics who claim it is ‘just a silly hill’ which resembles a ‘ribcage’.

Prominent Ghanian-British architect Sir David Adjaye beat off international competition to design the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in London.

But his concept has come under fire from MPs who claim it will ‘change irrevocably the oasis of calm’ Victoria Tower Gardens, which sit in the shadow of the Palace of Westminster.

Situated in the park next to the Houses of Parliament, the memorial will pay serve as a tribute to the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered in the Holocaust

Situated next to the Houses of Parliament, the memorial will pay serve as a tribute to the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered in the Holocaust.

Sir David’s design, due to be completed in 2021, includes a path which leads across a gradually rising hill, inviting visitors for views out to the River Thames and Westminster. 

It features tall patinated bronze walls which inscribe 22 paths – one for each country in which Jewish communities were decimated during the Holocaust.  

However Tory MP Sir Peter Bottomley questioned why the building would be positioned in the gardens, despite the Imperial War Museum offering to host the memorial. 

And Sir Edward Leigh claimed the project was ‘just a gimmick’. 

The planned ‘Hall of Voices’ at the memorial

Sir David’s design is due to be completed in 2021. It was chosen as the winner by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Mayor of London, the Chief Rabbi and Holocaust survivors

Subject to the planning process, the Memorial and Learning Centre are due for completion by 2021