The UK learned from Australia and we have a lot of projects funded from lottery money. Some see this as a way of transferring money from the poor (the largest buyers of tickets) to the rich (the main beneficiaries of cultural projects). Others see it as a way reducing saving the taxes which would otherwise be spent on public projects. Others, again, see it as a way in which do-gooders can sit on committees and get funds for their pet projects. I guess all the cynics have some truth on their side and would be happier with direct public subscription. It seems a swindle to encourage gambling (the lottery gets free coverage on the BBC) as a means of supporting ‘higher’ (ie non-materialistic) causes. I think that if the BBC gave prime air time to cathedral-like projects it might well be possible to raise funds for garden bridges. The Thames could have lots of them!

Perhaps community buildings are still funded in this way? Apparently Andrew Carnegie funded public libraries. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Carnegie ] I am supposing that philanthropic contributions from a single donor is not quite the same as a small community making numerous small donations?

I am wondering what sort of project would inspire perhaps a city like London to donate to its realization via ‘crowd’ funding? [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdfunding ] Do you think they would finance the Garden Bridge this way? Maybe if 1) the design was refined with much public comment and involvement or 2) the design community funded after an open ideas competition funding a project this may be possible?

I believe a miracle is an absolute requirement for sainthood. Maybe his design would count as a miracle in its own right. If not, the fact that it is being completed without any of his drawings could surely count. St Gaudie? That would be way, way above the Pritzker Prize.
In London I guess the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Westminster was the last to be completed. http://www.gardenvisit.com/landscape_architecture/london_landscape_architecture/visitors_guide/westminster_cathedral_precinct
Cathedrals were not built with government money. I believe the funds came from the churches and from private gifts. We need to find some public projects people would support with equal generosity.

Do you know when the last cathedral was commissioned in London or whether there has been any extensions planned?

Very useful precedents thank you. They should collect ideas from around the world before fixing the design for London’s garden bridge. Although I have suggested a commercial layer for the structure there is also a good case for keeping it commerce-free. The case would be that too much of the world is materialistic and that just as our predecessors built cathedrals, we should build spiritual structures. It is amazing that with so much greater resources we have made nothing as good as the medieval cathedrals. Barcelona is still working on La Sagrada Familia but I fear it will be more of a tourist experience than a spiritual experience.

The island could have two levels and hence an opportunity for a Hanging Garden! Melbourne has used the upper and lower levels of the Yarra River very well. [ http://www.hideseek.com.au/wp-content/uploads/PonyFishD1.jpg ] and [ http://www.broadsheet.com.au/media/cache/b4/83/b4833942f1a082ffc0d6790e899acb46.jpg ]

TfL are inviting comments on the Garden Bridge http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/metro/28872.aspx.
I agree about voluptuousness as a design goal and also about seasonal changes, including bulbs, but the more I think about it the more I think it needs to be, at least, two-level bridge. The lower level would have a bad-weather pedestrian route and lots of food probably on a food-court basis. The upper level should be designed as the best garden in Europe.

Who do we speak to to engage some ideas with the planners ?