Plan for New US Embassy Includes Design Features from Medieval Castles



The US is building a new embassy in London with a heavy emphasis on physical security. Pictured above is an artist's conception of the winning design, which will be built in 2017. Mike Olson of Wired talked with Clifford J. Rogers, an expert in medieval warfare, about how this design incorporates elements of medieval castle architecture:

The low wall at street level and the larger circular landscaped perimeter is reminiscent of a bailey, an enclosed courtyard that doubles as a first line of defense. “It’s not necessarily meant to stop the enemy dead,” Rogers says, “but to give you time to react and man the inner defense.” As in the Middle Ages, this wall can be patrolled by guards.


Link | Image: Keiran Timberlake

It's kind of sad how all our embassies are either being moved to distant sites, or being converted into castle-like fortifications.

You're almost missing the point when you become so isolated from the very country you're supposed to interact with.
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Ahh the joys of having ones foreign policy of plundering and corruption is coming back to haunt.

The foreigners have the same flag as their Americans - except theirs is on fire.
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