Lord Mayor of London unveils award plaque at International Headquarters

The Lord Mayor of London, Alderman David Brewer CMG, told the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Robin Dunster, and other invited guests in Café 101 at International Headquarters that the new headquarters building was a 'trophy of grace' which 'proclaims the living gospel' and 'fires a volley into the heart of everyone who has eyes to see and ears to hear'. He was speaking before unveiling a plaque recognising the fact that the building had been awarded the 2005 New City Architecture Award by the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects.

The plaque, which recognises the award presented to International Headquarters (photo by Berni Georges)

The award is given to the building which, in the view of the judges, makes the greatest contribution to the streetscape of London. The judges said they were 'extremely impressed' with the building and the process which brought it about, noting the excellent way in which the large site of the previous headquarters was shared out between two buildings, with the commercial property now next to IHQ providing the means by which the new building could be funded at virtually no cost to The Salvation Army.

The award citation commended the IHQ building for making 'an excellent contribution to the "string of pearls" route from St Paul’s Cathedral, across the Foster and Partners Millennium Bridge, and on to Tate Modern'.

The Chief of the Staff welcomes the Lord Mayor to International Headquarters (photo by Berni Georges)

The citation adds: 'It could have been a blank frontage, like some of its neighbours; instead the building has a cleverly placed canopy entrance, reinforced by a projecting chapel above, a glazed exterior revealing robust structural columns and enlivened by graphic design, and most impressively a visible lower-ground floor café. This well-illuminated space, which is open to all, provides an inviting face to the passing public. This is bespoke architecture, but delivered with an evident and pleasing economy of means, and was the judges’ unanimous choice as winner of the 2006 award.'

The plaque unveiling ceremony commenced with words of welcome from the Master of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects, Richard Saxon CBE. He commended the quality of the building and spoke of the way it 'draws Londoners in remarkably'. He described IHQ as a 'beacon' on the walkway between St Paul's Cathedral and Tate Modern Art Gallery and pointed out that its structure – with prominent H-frame pillars which hold up the top three floors – reflected the way The Salvation Army symbolises 'muscular Christianity'.

The Chief of the Staff speaks at the plaque-unveiling ceremony, watched by (right) the Lord Mayor of London and the Master of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects (photo by Berni Georges)

The Chief of the Staff welcomed the guests – including representatives of IHQ's architects, the developers and building contractors, members of IHQ staff and members of the Worshipful Company of Architects – and picked up on the judges' comments that the new building 'provides an inviting face to the passing public'. This is, she explained, very different to the building's predecessors on the site. She said the new IHQ is a far better 'representation of the all-inclusive, welcoming Christian gospel which it is The Salvation Army's mission to present to the world'.

The Chief spoke about the Army's history on the site – which it first occupied on 8 September 1881 – but acknowledged that history and tradition were not the only reasons it remained in such a prestigious location. She said the investment in the site 125 years ago has enabled The Salvation Army to continue to operate its worldwide enterprise from one of the great hubs of the world in a way that makes sound financial sense and added: 'The City of London needs us! It needs the Christian gospel we proclaim.'

After the ceremony, the Lord Mayor and many of the visitors took the opportunity to look around the building, paying particular attention to the International Chapel which, with its striking amber glass, is seen by the architects to be – physically and symbolically – at the very heart of IHQ.