Architecture Update: Site to behold

INTEREST is growing in an idea first suggested by Roger Moate, the Conservative MP for Faversham, to launch a competition for the replacement of the Department of the Environment's Marsham Street complex in Westminster. Last month, Mr Moate asked the Government to 'set an example in environmental improvement by not redeveloping this important site with yet more surplus office buildings'. Now the Royal Fine Art Commission is trying to encourage the DoE to launch an open competition for the site; yesterday, Lord St John of Fawsley, chairman of the RFAC, said he 'looked forward confidently to seeing a building of outstanding worth rising on the site of the soon-to-be-deserted DoE building'.