London's Growing Up: a new exhibition at the NLA charts the city's changing skyline

London showcased in the NLA's latest exhibition
London is growing up - literally - with more than 230 high-rise towers either planned for future construction or already underway, as showcased in the NLA's latest exhibition
(Image credit: press)
By Leigh Theodore Vlassis
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'London's Growing Up', the new exhibition opening today at the NLA, is a showcase of the British capital's latest crop of high-rise towers that are currently in development or construction, alongside completed landmarks including The Shard and Heron Tower.

The survey focuses on how the city's most high-profile tall developments will impact its architectural fabric, from the physical changes they will make to its skyline to the influence the buildings will have on the rise of London's role as a global bastion of design and innovation. The latest boom in construction by the likes of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Herzog & de Meuron and more, is aimed at boosting the city's living capacity to accommodate the significant population growth expected in the next 20 years.

Currently, there are over 230 towers planned for London - around 80% of them residential and each one reaching no less than 20 storeys. '[The] people in London need to understand what is going on and the impact that these developments are having in the city,' explains NLA chairman and exhibition curator Peter Murray. 'Nothing of this scale has happened before. We are witnessing a movement in history.' The next generation of towers will allow for the creation of new public spaces and fuel urban regeneration.

Comprising physical architecture models, renderings, photographs, time-lapse video projections and even a workstation where visitors can create their own London skyline, the timely exhibition is informative as well as inspiring, and is a worthy contribution to the current and hotly debated subject of high-rise building in the capital.

Canaletto is a residential building due for completion next year. With 31 floors, it will contain 190 luxury apartments, each of which will fit into one of three categories: standard, premier and penthouse

Canaletto is a residential building due for completion next year. With 31 floors, it will contain 190 luxury apartments, each of which will fit into one of three categories: standard, premier and penthouse

(Image credit: press)

Also due to be finished in 2015 is Buckley Gray Yeoman's 19-floor apartment block at 60 Commercial Road in east London. Designed specifically as student accomodation, each of the 417 units will have a self-contained kitchen and bathroom © Miller Hare

Also due to be finished in 2015 is Buckley Gray Yeoman's 19-floor apartment block at 60 Commercial Road in east London. Designed specifically as student accomodation, each of the 417 units will have a self-contained kitchen and bathroom

(Image credit: © Miller Hare)

The Rafael Viñoly-designed 20 Fenchurch Street is better known to Londoners by its moniker 'The Walkie-Talkie' due to its distinctive curved silhouette. When it is completed, it will provide over 670,000 sq ft of office space over 32 floors, topped by a three-storey Sky Garden, the tallest public park in the city

The Rafael Viñoly-designed 20 Fenchurch Street is better known to Londoners by its moniker 'The Walkie-Talkie' due to its distinctive curved silhouette. When it is completed, it will provide over 670,000 sq ft of office space over 32 floors, topped by a three-storey Sky Garden, the tallest public park in the city

(Image credit: press)

Embassy Gardens is currently under development by the Ballymore Group and has been designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. Sitting in the middle of the new riverfront district that reaches from Vauxhall to Battersea, Embassy Gardens will be made up of a series of interconnected blocks that will range from four to 19 storeys © FCB Studios

Embassy Gardens is currently under development by the Ballymore Group and has been designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. Sitting in the middle of the new riverfront district that reaches from Vauxhall to Battersea, Embassy Gardens will be made up of a series of interconnected blocks that will range from four to 19 storeys

(Image credit: © FCB Studios)

Completed in 2012 by Renzo Piano, Western Europe's tallest building, the Shard, stretches up a staggering 1,016 ft. Tucked away in its 87 storeys are, amongst other things, the Shangri-La Hotel and a four-storey viewing gallery offering 360-degree views of London © Sellar Group

Completed in 2012 by Renzo Piano, Western Europe's tallest building, the Shard, stretches up a staggering 1,016 ft. Tucked away in its 87 storeys are, amongst other things, the Shangri-La Hotel and a four-storey viewing gallery offering 360-degree views of London

(Image credit: © Sellar Group)

Designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, 240 Blackfriars was estimated for completion in March this year. 233,000 sq ft of the building's 20 floors will be given over to offices, meaning a staggering 1 person per 86 sq ft occupancy

240 Blackfriars was estimated for completion in March this year. 233,000 sq ft of the building's 20 floors will be given over to offices, meaning a staggering 1 person per 86 sq ft occupancy

(Image credit: Allford Hall Monaghan Morris)

Stepping down towards the river, 40 Leadenhall Street by Make Architects will vary in height from 10 to 34 storeys, its tallest end fitting in with the skyscrapers of London's insurance district. Included in the development will be the restoration and integration of a grade II listed building at 19-21 Billiter Street. It should be completed in 2019

Stepping down towards the river, 40 Leadenhall Street by Make Architects will vary in height from 10 to 34 storeys, its tallest end fitting in with the skyscrapers of London's insurance district. Included in the development will be the restoration and integration of a grade II listed building at 19-21 Billiter Street. It should be completed in 2019

(Image credit: press)

Residential skyscraper One Wood Wharf is still in the design stage, overseen by Herzog & de Meuron. Once its planning has been approved, construction will begin on the Isle of Dogs site; work should be completed in 2018

Residential skyscraper One Wood Wharf is still in the design stage, overseen by Herzog & de Meuron. Once its planning has been approved, construction will begin on the Isle of Dogs site; work should be completed in 2018

(Image credit: press)

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners are behind the Leadenhall Building on Gracechurch Street. Offset to the north, the tapered skyscraper will have maximum natural light pouring in to its 52 floors, and is due for completion this summer

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners are behind the Leadenhall Building on Gracechurch Street. Offset to the north, the tapered skyscraper will have maximum natural light pouring in to its 52 floors, and is due for completion this summer

(Image credit: press)

Merano, also in the hands of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, will be a mixed-use development on the Albert Embankment facing Tate Britain. Within the 28 storeys will be a four floor public space with direct access to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens

Merano, also in the hands of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, will be a mixed-use development on the Albert Embankment facing Tate Britain. Within the 28 storeys will be a four floor public space with direct access to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens

(Image credit: press)

It's yet to be announced when Assael Architecture's Blades building will be completed; the design is still awaiting approval. In fact, there is very little information at all about this residential skyscraper beyond it being commissioned by the Ministry of Sound

It's yet to be announced when Assael Architecture's Blades building will be completed; the design is still awaiting approval. In fact, there is very little information at all about this residential skyscraper beyond it being commissioned by the Ministry of Sound 

(Image credit: press)

One Blackfriars, Ian Simpson's project, will trump AHMM's efforts by 30 storeys. Construction has already begun on this 560 ft building, which will form part of a major mixed-use development on this small portion of the Southbank. One Blackfriars is due to be finished in 2017 © Hayes Davidson

One Blackfriars, Ian Simpson's project, will trump AHMM's efforts by 30 storeys. Construction has already begun on this 560 ft building, which will form part of a major mixed-use development on this small portion of the Southbank. One Blackfriars is due to be finished in 2017

(Image credit: © Hayes Davidson)

Construction is due to start any time now on the Newington Butts site in Elephant and Castle. 45 storeys have been designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, totaling 462 units of private rental space. 188 of these have been designated 'affordable'. Alongside the residential units will be a new theatre space and retail zones

Construction is due to start any time now on the Newington Butts site in Elephant and Castle. 45 storeys have been designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, totaling 462 units of private rental space. 188 of these have been designated 'affordable'. Alongside the residential units will be a new theatre space and retail zones

(Image credit: press)

Kohn Pederson Fox Associates completed Heron Tower in March 2011. With 46 floors in the heart of the City, Heron Tower stands at over 750 ft and offers bars and restaurants (as well as Britain's largest privately owned aquarium) alongside 36 storeys of office space

Kohn Pederson Fox Associates completed Heron Tower in March 2011. With 46 floors in the heart of the City, Heron Tower stands at over 750 ft and offers bars and restaurants (as well as Britain's largest privately owned aquarium) alongside 36 storeys of office space

(Image credit: press)

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