Project 01_The Vulnerable Empire

An investigation into the everyday roles of HRM Queen Elizabeth II and her extended family

~01~Diversity in the London

Londoners can rightfully claim that they live in one of the worlds most culturally diverse cities. As a hotbed for international interactions and exchanges, it has become petri dish for a newly emergent cultural identity within the contextual environment of the ever loosening title of being British. The values we now all share as a result of this diversity have changed radically yet there are very few elements within our working, living or studying environments that reflect this shared cultural experience.

photos courtesy of Christian Reister Photography

Ethnographic map of London

It is interesting to see in the maps above that the central areas of London are inhabited by mostly communities of ethnic minorities, whereas the White British majority have come to encircle the more attractive periphery. The donut-concentric demographic pattern is commonly seen across major developed cities across the world, however, what is especially interesting in London, is that the central areas are also home to many of the establishments close to the heart of the Empire. Tourists visit these areas more than the outskirts, the BBC, The Royal Family, Government are all located here yet it bears no resemblance nor does it seem to acknowledge the

presence of these minority communities residing just next door.

Red - White - 71%Blue - Black - 11%Green - Asian - 12%Purple - Mixed - 3%Orange - Chinese - 3%

What do we all have in common?

The topic of a shared British identity is an issue that is consistently debated within the media as well as sociological academia. Answers to the above question range from, Pubs, Eastenders, a love of football, the weather, the Monarchy, the British accent and even the food. Interestingly a popular answer is also Diversity and the long history of different cultures existing within the cultural fabric of the UK. However, this may be a paradox to the previous answers as the question arises as to how many of those elements of British life can people of differing cultural backgrounds relate to? Problems also occur when minority communities feel they have become

neglected within society at large, sometimes with violent and devastating results.

Height of the British Empire

The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power. By 1922 the British Empire held sway over about 458 million people, one-fifth of the worlds population at the time, and covered more than 33,700,000 km2 (13,012,000 sq mi), almost a quarter of the Earths total land area. As a result, its political, linguistic and cultural legacy is widespread. At the peak of its power, it was often said that the sun never sets on the British Empire because its span across the globe ensured that the sun was always

shining on at least one of its numerous territories.

~02~Regaining the Lost Empire

Informal Empire describes the spheres of influence which an empire may develop that translate into a degree of influence over a region or country, which is not a formal colony in the empire, as a result of the extension of commercial, strategic or military interests of the empire. Informal empire is a willing and successful attempt by commercial and political elites to control a foreign region, resource, or people. The means of control included the enforcement of extra-territorial privileges and

the threat of economic and political sanctions, often coupled with the attempt to keep other would-be imperial powers at bay.

It is an important concept required to adequately explain the reach and influence of empire, and in the case of the British Empire, is vital to any holistic account of the British Imperial experience and intrinsic to describing the interests and purposes of the Empire as a whole. Informal empire, far from being distinctive and separate from formal empire, is often bound up with formal imperial interests. For example, British informal empire in China was a product of British formal control of India,

resulting from the need to finance the activities of the British East India Company through the sale of opium to the Chinese.

In the economic sphere, British informal empire was driven by the free trade economic system of the Empire. It expanded as much by the growth of informal empire as it did by acquiring formal dominion over colonies. Furthermore, British investment in empire was to be found not only in the formal Empire, but also in the informal empire. It is estimated that between 1815 and 1880, 1,187,000,000 in credit had accumulated abroad, but no more than one-sixth was placed in the formal empire. Informal empire may assume a primarily economic guise. However, this is not the exclusive definition or requirement of the term. Strategic considerations or other

concerns may bring about the creation of an imperial influence over a region not formally a component of the empire.

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The growth and shrink of the British Empire

The legacy of the Empire and issues of Postcolonialism

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Paradigm Changes

As Londons culture diversifies and mutates, elements of its history become entangled within the dense cultural mesh that has become one of the key, if not most defin-ing characteristics of the city. Traditions and historical conventions need to be manipulated in order to be digestable in the 21st century. The Royal Family are no exception; their efforts alone have rendered a large portion of central London into a preservation ground, enacting traditions that seem juxtaposed to the visions of

postmodernity that London strives towards.

London changes constantly, only to become more and more like any other city. - Rem Koolhaas, The Generic City

Abandoned State

The seat of the Monarchy, Buckingham Palace, has been abandoned or left to disrepair on numerous occasions. Once in 1861 as a grief stricken widowed Queen Victo-ria withdrew from public life to live at Windsor Castle and Balmoral Castle, and again in World War II as it was left in fear of being bombed (which indeed happened resulting in the destruction of several buildings on the site). Today, it may no longer be wars or personal grievances that bring down the Palace, but the inception of

changing values, traditions and a shared history devoid of the Royal Family.

Solution 2The Royal Family Ltd. - Re-establishing Trade Routes

The second solution is to change the Royal Family into a business entity. The model for colonial economics would be adapted to fit within modern day paradigms but the essence of the informal empire would still be upheld. Part NGO, partmulti-international corporation, the idea is to bring the enteprise of The Royal Family label onto the stock market. By floating the company, establishing tea trade with China, oil trade with Venezuela and other potentially lucrative commodities, the Royal Family not only strengthens the informal empire but at the same time becomes a part publicly owned entity and thus adds a level of attraction to any investors.

Solution 1Interactive Royal Family Exhibit at The British Museum - Relocating the West wing of Buckingham Palace to a new wing of The British Museum

The struggle to maintain and uphold the icons of Empire can be simultaneously categorised under the role of cultural and historic preservation. As Buckingham pal-ace is the most famous piece of architecture representing the seat of the Monarchy, maybe it should be preserved within the confines of an establishment such as The British Museum. Thus, the proposal suggests relocating the most prime setpieces of traditions upheld by the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace and those elements of Royal Life quintessential to the symbol of the Empire (state banquet halls, processions, Drawing Rooms, Music Rooms and Gardens) into the British Museum as a means to exhibit and maintain their importance as a peice of historic Empire legacy. Moreover this ironic proposal sets up the paradox of bringing the vestiges and relics of the British Empire as represented by the Royal Family directly under the same umbrella as those pieces of foreign antiquity plundered and exhibited as a

symbol of the expanse of that Empire.

Solution 3Cultural Exchange Programme

The main controversy surrounding the artefacts and relics found in The British Museum is that many countries now wish for their national treasures to be returned/repatriated. However, as a testament and prize of The British Empire, there is strong resistance from The Museum. Of these artefacts, perhaps the most famous are the Elgin Marbles, once a part of the Parthenon in Athens. The Museum state that these marbles are cared for with the utmost care and that in fact the museum exhibition, as opposed to the Parthenon museum, offers an unrivalled experience of them. One way of diffusing such attacks on treasures of the Empire would be to exchange our treasures for a limited amount of time in order to balance things out. Thus this proposal imagines the Royal Family on tour, as it were, to sites convicted of plunder

and robbery on behalf of the Empire.

Solution 4Pop Media Sensationalism

This solution looks to fully immersing members of The Royal Family within the media limelight. Already a popular subject for tabloids and the media, The Royal Fam-ily can however reach astronomical heights of popularity and fame if they go a few steps further and engage with all the elements of contemporary pop culture that wouldnt normally be classed as beng within their taste or interest. This tactic is directed to engage with a younger generation, many who have little or no affiliation

to the concept of Monarchy or the Empire at large.

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~03~Buckingham Palace: Setpiece of Royal Life

In exploring ways in which the structure of Buckingham Palace could be made more accessible to the public, architect Terry Farrell conveys some very engaging ideas about the importance of space and place, ceremony and memory in the life of cities and nations. Farrells proposals to puncture the imposing faade of the palace with arches have raised the eyebrows of some in the establishment, but his approach is far from republican in spirit. It is, in fact, a search for ways to connect and refocus the concept monarchy in democratic twentieth-century urban context. At the same time, the translation of the Palace as a series of setpieces involving public viewing and interaction is embodied within themed buildings such as those found in Las Vegas, where notions of history and culture have been boxed into an easily

consumerable format within its many buildings.

Terry Farrells Buckingham Palace Redesigned Longitudinal Perspective Section of MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas.

Capturing HRM in Profile

The symbol of HRM Queen Elizabeth II is no more apparent than in the form of her profile. Used everywhere from stamps, to coins and portraits, the stately but slightly smiling, stern yet seem-ingly passive silhouette of HRM is a unique point of view by which the Queen is usually viewed

and instantly recognised.

The Regency Room The East Gallery The Ball RoomThe Grand Staircase The Royal Carriage

Sets frequently used as part of the Queens daily schedule

There are five significant activities that the Queen can be asked to partake in during a normal day. This ranges from simply answering letters or meet-ing privately with the PM in the Regency Room, to holding lavish state banquets. Media attention is strongest during these five aspects of her day as they are significant moments whereby the Queen is seen to uphold and

exhibit traditions of the Royal Household and of the Empire at large.

1. The Regency Room -broadcasting public messages, answering letters and meeting with the PM3. The Grand Staircase - Formal entrance to the Ball Room3. The East Gallery - main processional path to the Ball Room4. The Ball Room - Investitures and State Banquets organised and held here5. The Royal Carriage - Ceremonial mode of transport. Designed so that the profile of the Queen is perfectly framed to the audience

Balcony Scene

The Balcony Scene imagines an interior set designed to replicate a royal address to the public from the Palace Balcony. Features include wind machine and panoramic green screen

The Regency Room Scene

This set is designed to re-enact a scene from the Regency Room. The Queen is known for not liking artificial lighting when reading or responding to letters so natural lighting is used by reconfig-uring the wall as a removable facade. Window frames are false with green screen panes that

recreate any outdoor condition in post production.

Backstage Area

The East Gallery Scene

To recreate the procession sequence through the East Gallery, a length of space is gauged out to fit in the equipment. The room is shorter than the actual Gallery so a forced perspective is introduced. Also required are camera and lighting tracks in order to maintain a steady profile

view of the Queen.

The Grand Hall Scene

This set must be highly adjustable accroding to the event that needs to be recreated. Movable par-titions and backdrops (indicated in yellow) move along rafters installed in the roof. The window openings on the front facade can also be opened by a system of pulleys located in the rafters too,

allowing more or less natural light into the film space.

Auxiliary Set Spaces

Overview of some other sets that could be installed. (Bedroom, Office and Music Room)

ROYAL PUBLIC FINANCES Year to 31 March 2011

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Year to 31 March 2011

m 2010

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The Queens Civil List1 13.7 14.2

Grants-in-aid:

Property Services 11.9 15.4

Communications and Information 0.5 0.4

Royal Travel2 6.0 3.9

32.1 33.9

The Queens official expenditure is met from public funds in exchange for the surrender by The Queen of the revenue from the Crown Estate. In the year to 31 March 2010, Crown Estate income surrendered amounted to 210 million (2008-09: 230 million). Official expenditure for 2010-11 has decreased by 5.3% in absolute terms and by 10.2% in real terms compared to the previous year. The decrease is mainly due to increased income generation, the deferral of property maintenance expenditure and the implementation of a pay freeze. Over the past 5 years official expenditure has reduced by 19.0% in real terms.

THE QUEENS CIVIL LIST

The Civil List is the funding provided by Parliament, on a 10 yearly cycle, to meet the central staff costs and running expenses of Her Majestys official Household. Civil List expenditure reduced by 8.5% in real terms in the year to 31 December 2010.

GRANTS-IN-AID

Grants-in-aid are provided to the Royal Household annually by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for Property Services and Communications and Information, and by the Department for Transport for Royal Travel. Property Services meets the cost of property maintenance, and of utilities, telephones and related services at the Occupied Royal Palaces in England. Communications and Information meets the cost of such services for official royal functions and engagements in England and Scotland. Royal Travel meets the cost of official royal travel by air and rail.

1 Figures are for calendar years 2010 and 2009 2 The sale of The Queens Helicopter in 2009-10 resulted in lease repayments of 1.5 million to Royal Travel. Excluding this income,

expenditure on Royal Travel would have been 5.4 million.

Travel Expenses: Rethinking the Royal Motorcade

Every summer, the Royal Family make their migration to Balmoral Castle in Scotland for their holidays. This 508 mile journey taking 9 hours and 2 minutes would on average cost the normal 5 door family car ~108.32 for a one way journey. However, the Royal Motorcade (cheapes when compared to chartering a flight or even tak-ing the Royal Train) will cost considerably more and cause much more damage to the environment. In fact, the topic of Royal travel has been forever a sensitive matter for the Royals as they are constantly hounded for being too reckless withe their liberal spending. As of 2008, chartered flights by the Royal Family have been discon-tinued meaning HRMs Helicopter is no more, replaced however by a 10M private jet (though representatives claim this will in fact save money over a longer time). 5 carriages of the Royal Train were also sold in 2003 as the cost of maintenance was too high. The Queen was subsequently seen taking a public train to visit family

for Christmas in Norfolk. The following study is an investigation into rethinking this annual trip in a more environmentally friendly and economically viable way.

Rainwater TankStores rainwater and using an ultrafiltration membrane, removes dissolved substances

Rainwater Drain

Greywater Storage TankAnaerobic biofilters contained within the tankmanages the greywater

Silicon Photovoltaic CellsAngle adjustable in order to take full advantage of solar gain

Thermal Water TankSolar Thermal gain from the cells heat stored water for potable use

Onboard ElectronicsAll onboard electronics powered by energy captured from photovoltaic cells. Batteries charge during locomotion

BioLet Waste TankOxygen loving bacteria naturally present in human waste reduce waste by 90%, converting it into a nutrient rich compost- Compost mix required-Air exhaust/flue required

Carriagevan main compartment and bathroom facilities

The main carriage compartment rides above a chassis inspired by the original State Carriage. Solar panels provide the bulk of the energy required to ooperate on-board entertainment and GPS systems whilse the bathroom located at the rear collects rainwater and has a technologically advanced filtration and water cleansing system located in the chassis. Research for these technologies are conducted by various university departments around the country and directly funded by the Royal

Treasury. This way, the Royal Family are also providing opportunities for education and engineering research.

University developed technology

Trailer attachmentSleeping capsules rest on the main trailer attachment, connecting the rest of the Carriagevan to the host vehicle

Comms TrailerContains essential GPS tracking system, onboard computer systems and environmental control systems

Trailer attachmentAttaches to the tail end of carriagevan

Satellite, TV and Radio Antenae

Sleeping CapsulesContains a variety of onboard utilities such as TV, reading light and security telephone

Sleeping Units and Comms trailer

Two private sleeping capsules are located at the front of the Carriagevan. Like capsule hotel rooms, they will have all entertainment systems such as televisions and music players, radio and intercom to the main carriage section. As for the Comms trailer, this includes a backup generator as well as all communication and onboard

electronics systems. Additional storage space can also be found here.

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Water and Electrical Systems

Photovoltaic Cells charge onboard batteries for use of water treatment sys-tems, pumps and onboard computers and sensors. Also, communications sys-tems and GPS navigation devices are charged/operated through dynamos connected to the wheels. Additional power source from charged batteries.

Interior Systems

Interior comforts include four televisions for monitoring carriagevan lo-cation, water and electrical systems, watching films and most importantly, checking on broadcastsed news concerning royal family members.Also included are showering facilities, Bio Toilet, 2 fully reclining beds and rollcage over the main compartment for security and protection.

Chassis Systems

Inspired and adapted from the original 1830 Scottish State Coach, the steel chassis offers great efficiency of material use against structural integrity. Moreover, the chassis is split into three detachable sections that can be easi-ly attached or removed with regards to the order of assembly required. Front trailer connection is available for attachment onto host vehicle.

Front Elevation Side Elevation

Plan

Ease of setup and zero dependance on support team

The carriagevan is designed as an intermingling of the traditional caravan and all the comforts, efficiency and security of a whole royal motorcade. The amount of time needed to set up all systems for an overnight stay outside of the Royal Estates is estimated to be only 10 minutes. The dependance on voun-teer host vehicles to take the Royal Party from Buckingham Palace to Balmoral Palace in Scotland reduces the need for an engine, reducing fuel costs and environmental pollution. The inclusion of fully environmentally conscious water and electrical systems means that the image of the Royal Family, upon their interactions with the good normal day people of the UK, is greatly elevated to that of a modern, environmentally conscious and down-to-earth family

free from the unapproachable haughty pretentions normally presumed from the Royal Family.

Standard Royal Motorcade

A convey taking the Royal Family up to Balmoral would normally consist of a policecar of armed officers, 2 police motorcycles, 4 escorts and 2 Land Rovers.

Carriagevan Crew

Instead, the carriagevan allows the family to travel solo, cutting costs for such a large motorcade escort and contrarily, engaging the family to interact with the general public for direction and help.

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~04~Zoetrope

The Zoetrope, a cinematic device, is an apt medium to translate the five actions of HRMs life routine, themselves captured, manipulated and rebroadcast through the visual medium by means of photographs and film. The five actions are broken down into one second instances, each comprising of fifteen frames that animate the events of that scene. Ultimately, a five second narrative is displayed through the zoetrope documenting the path of the Queen through the theatrical sets of her life

reimagined in both the interior of Buckingham Palace and the Familys annual journey up to Balmoral Castle.

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Procession

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Staircase

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Investiture

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Carriagevan Tow

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Carriagevan Setup

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Zoetrope: First second - Scene 1, The East Gallery

The scene re-enacts the procession of HRM down the East Gallery. It also seeks to maintain a constant profile image of the Queen as she processes down the Gallery. A movable rig for the scene gradually slides along rails that also hold the film and sound crew. Additional lighting system s also attached. A projection of the actual elevation of the Gallery is projected onto a screen behind the subject, giving a false sense of a larger space. Moreover, less

materials are required in order to build the full set.

Blue - Rig 15th second movement pointsRed - Queen 15th second movement pointsYellow - Camera 15th second pointsGrey - Crew 15th second points

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Zoetrope: Second second - Scene 2, The Grand Staircase

The recreation of the Grand Staircase mimics that of Scene one but is more elaborate in its attempt to limit material usage whilst maintaining the profile of the Queen. Again, the camera crew travels along a semicircle following the path of the Queen up the staircase whilst sound and direction team operate

the scene from behind the camera.

Red - Queen 15th second movement pointsYellow - Camera 15th second points

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Zoetrope: Third second - Scene Three, The Investiture

After ascending the Grand Staircase, the Queen enters the Ball Room where she greets those members of the public receiving their investitures. A camera manned atop a cherry picker documents this again, against a false backdrop depicting the Hall. She finishes off her duties and briskly exits Buckingham

Palace.

Red - Queen 15th second movement pointsYellow - Camera 15th second points

Zoetrope: Fourth second - Scene Four, Preparing the Journey

The carriagevan is attached to a volunteer vehicle, normally a member of the public, who is willing to tow the carriagevan along with members of the Royal Family a part, if not all, of the way to Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Part hitch-hiking, part adventure and spectacle event, this action allows the Royal Family to become more acquainted to members of the public and their inevitable stories and problems whilst at the same time decreasing depen-dance on other forms of travel such as Air and Rail, both of which receive much negative attention by the press and republicans as it is seen to be wasteful

of taxpayers money and inconsiderate of environmental issues.

Green - Tow 15th second movement pointsYellow - Carriagevan 15th second points

Zoetrope: Fifth second - Scene Five, Encampment

The carriagevan is designed to deploy as a series of support units if there was ever the need to stop and camp out for the night. Long favoured as a summer holiday activity by most British family members, camping out is again both a show of the Royal Family adopting a more down-to-earth way of travel-ling and holidaying that is not at odds with normal members of society, and also in defining resilience of character amongst the members. Furthermore, it utilises many technologies and environmentally firendly systems that have been developed and researched within UK universities, and is a testament to

the Royals generating education and engirneering research.

Zoetrope: Five Seconds - Scene slice

The zoetrope is designed around the single continuous movement of the Queen through all the sets in one single sequence, and thus explaining the narra-tive of her daily events being a series of sets and theatrical performances under the constant scrutiny of the camer or film.

Zoetrope: Making

1000+ pieces, 12 hours of lasercutting, 20 A1 sheets, 6 cans of spraypaint, countless hours and a stiff neck.

Zoetrope: Photographs

Zoetrope: Elevation render

Zoetrope: Perspective render