This is the Thames Hub airport, part of a $US80 billion project that would include a railway terminal connecting to England and Europe through high speed trains, huge depots and a port.
It will also have a new Thames Barrier that will extend the protection of riverside lands against floods. Designed by Foster and Partners in cooperation with British planners, builders and economists, I don’t know if this should be considered a glorious idea or the megalomaniac dream of a comic book villain. Foster says that the United Kingdom needs “to recapture the foresight and political courage of our 19th-century forebears if we are to establish a modern transport and energy infrastructure in Britain for this century and beyond.” Perhaps they should invade India again too. Foster claims that it could be done, just like they “were able to build a major new international airport and all the associated infrastructure including a new island reclaimed from the sea within four years.”
Maybe he is right. All I know is that I love to look at cross sections of giganormous engineering works. Enjoy. [Fosters + Partners]
