Phos Architects of London are among five teams shortlisted to design an observation tower overlooking the city of Liverpool, England.

The Mersey Observatory competition asked for proposals for a tower to be built at Crosby, north of the city.

The other shortlisted architects are Studio 8 Architects, Ellis Williams Architects, Duggan Morris Architects and Farrell and Clark. The winner will be announced at the end of March.

Here's some info from Phos Architects about their proposal:

--

Phos Architects have recently been shortlisted in an international competition to design an iconic structure in Liverpool.

The Mersey Observatory will offer unrivalled panoramic views of Liverpool Bay, the city’s famous skyline, the busy working docks and international shipping traffic on the River Mersey. The form of our design, in combination with the setting, is intended evoke thoughts of industry, and ship building. We have designed the Mersey Observatory to be tapered and extend upwards to create a coastal beacon, similar to a lighthouse. The form of our proposal through its ‘upright’ nature creates a dialogue with the Anthony Gormley installation ‘Another Place’ on neighbouring Crosby Beach.

The Stage 2 drawings by the five finalists are now on display at 3 venues across Liverpool – Capital of Culture 2008. The winning entry will be announced at the end of March and the building is due for completion in 2011 with an estimated cost of £11.65 million.

Phos Architects was formally established in early 2007. We are a young practice based in London with a hunger and passion to design beautiful buildings that serve communities and respect locality. We strive to create buildings that hold substance and meaning, that make dynamic connections with people and context. Through a network of talented individuals we are able to respond to any design brief in a unique and creative way.

This network allows us to collaborate with filmmakers, graphic designers, photographers and others who have a poetic understanding of the built environment. Our designs are modern, but do not lack historical, political and cultural references. Above all we are guided by the need to strive for elegance in our solution.