In 1997 Sir Richard Rogers campaigned for a ‘better and beautified’ urban environment, and it seemed that Tony Blair was listening.

However within recent years London has seen a stream of constructions that are all about profit rather than a wholesome design.

Although there are some appropriate and well-designed buildings, such as Kingsdale School in south London and Adelaide Wharf in east London, the overall architectural landscape seems dire.

Sam Jacob, founder of Fashion, Architecture, said, “There are some right architectural howlers. Take the Nat West Tower– that’s a pretty ugly concept, however excused by its ridiculousness and its facile commercial brutalism.”

“There are places like the Elephant and Castle– massive modernist conglomerations of traffic planning and housing that certainly lack genteel appeal.”

It seems, since the development of office space was left in the hands of the private sector that buildings have been constructed to grab headlines and just make a profit. regardless of design.

For example the word ‘iconic’ appears to be something that architects increasingly want to associate with their buildings.

However some believe that within time these new buildings may assimilate themselves into the London landscape and skyline.

Mr Jacob said, “So many London buildings move from ‘ugliness’ to ‘beauty’ through changes in attitude over time. Many of the ugliest buildings are now assimilated; they become part of the city’s narrative.”

It was officially opened on 31st December 1999 by then-prime minister Tony Blair, but face technically difficulties meaning it couldn’t open fully to the public until March 2000. Ten years on and over 30-million people have taken the breath-taking ride to view the capital from above. It was the worlds largest Ferris wheel until two years ago, when the Singapore Flyer took its crown by being 30 metres taller.

When it was first unveiled it did have a rather rocky start, aside from the technical problems delaying its full opening by three months. Many didn’t understand the concept of a Ferris wheel, viewed as old fashioned and too much of an expensive folly. But the modern interpretation of a Victorian Ferris wheel has become an engineering wonder and as popular a tourist and business entertainment tradition as Big Ben or the Tower of London.

It was designed by husband and wife architecture firm Marks Barfield, once the design was unveiled all doubts of a silly, old fashion and ginormous version of some rickety fairground ride were vanquished completely. The couple had created a modern, high tech answer to the traditional Ferris wheel. “It was London at your feet, symbol to celebrate the millennium, representing the time turning and the turn of the century, a very delicate object on the skyline of a rectilinear city, overhanging the river,” said Mr Marks, of Marks Barfield.

The drama of the construction of the wheel gripped the capital, and the rest of the world. Boats would often be seen bringing parts of the wheels, such as the passenger pods and we all sat on the edges of our seats as the wheel itself was raised skyward on the South Bank.

Interestingly the planning permission for the wheel was meant to expire in 2005, as it was supposed to be just temporary. However due to the popularity of the wheel with both tourists and Londoners themselves, an application was made and accepted to keep it until 2025.

The London Eye is really popular with tourists understandably but also serves an excellent purpose to the businesses of London. As well as being a brilliant general talking point to visiting clients from outside London its the perfect location to entertain clients visiting your offices.

The competition was judged by respected figures from British and American Architecture including property developer and patron of the arts Baron Peter Palumbo and British architect Lord Richard Rogers.

The Embassy building and offices will be located in Nine Elms, Battersea, the cost for the development and move from the current office premises is estimated at about £1 billion.They are expected to complete the build and relocation of the current Embassy by 2017.

“Kieran Timberlake’s design met the goal of creating a modern, welcoming, timeless, safe and energy efficient embassy for the 21st century.

“Their concept most fully satisfied the requirements outlined in the design competition’s mission statement. The concept holds the greatest potential for developing a truly iconic embassy and is on the leading edge of sustainable design. Kieran Timberlake is an architectural firm known for its commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility,” said a spokesman for the US State department.

Cushman & Wakefield are advising the Embassy. The architects and Bureau of Overseas Building Operations will be working closely with the Mayor’s office, CABE and the local council and residents of the area during the planning process.

The finished US Embassy will add another striking building to London’s already extraordinary portfolio of amazing architecture and office space.

They will then showcase pictures and photos of the buildings and   at the Mall Galleries, near Trafalgar Square. The exhibition is planned to co-incide with the London Festival of Architecture, on June 19th – June 26th 2010.

The Club will be searching for buildings which are “significant in the development of architecture in London/Britain, represented a particular strand of architectural thinking or [remain] excellent examples of their kind,” says a Club spokesman.

The competition’s selection committee will be chaired by acclaimed British architect Ken Powell. Contenders for the awards include – The Barbican, Danish Embassy, QE2 Conference Centre, various buildings in Canary Wharf and Paternoster Square.

The competition will really celebrate what London has achieved in the last 50 years, more than just architecturally. The exhibition will showcase the growth of the capital though its amazing buildings and commercial properties. Plus there’s plenty in store for the next 50 years, with exciting new developments and office space being planned across the capital.