Small firms will design 2012 legacy buildings, insist masterplanners

Small practices will get the chance to design parts of the 2012 Olympic legacy masterplan, directors from the three firms leading the masterplanning have insisted.

Speaking at the unveiling of the 102ha masterplan on Tuesday, KCAP director Markus Appenzeller joined colleagues from Edaw and Allies & Morrison in insisting that McDowell & Benedetti, Caruso St John, Haworth Tompkins, Maccreanor Lavington, Panter Hudspith and S333 would work on six “character areas” within the site in 2010.

This follows fears reported in BD a year ago that up-and-coming talent could be squeezed out by the larger firms.

“They’re going to get involved,” Appenzeller said. “One scenario is you give those [character areas] to a number of those offices. It’s good to have someone test your ideas.”

The highly ambitious masterplan, which was unveiled by London mayor Boris Johnson, Olympics minister Tessa Jowell and communities secretary Hazel Blears includes 10-12,000 new homes, of which 35% will be affordable.

It also comprises three new primary schools, a secondary school at the main stadium, and a new university replacing the International Broadcast Centre, which will be demolished in stages after the games.

Credit: ODA

The Olympic legacy site at Canary Whar