One year to go: Olympic projects still up for grabs

With just a year to go until the London 2012 Olympics kick off, the AJ has uncovered a number of huge projects still in pre-planning. Among these is the proposed International Quarter, a joint venture between Lend Lease and London and Continental Railways which will create 370,000m² on land around the Westfield shopping centre.

Referred to as ‘London’s best kept secret’ by Lend Lease project manager Matt Beasley, the project is planned to start on site in 2013 and could lead to a number of design contests over the 15-year build programme.

‘We will look to have a number of architectural competitions, ranging from some of the smaller buildings on the site to some of the landmarks,’ said Beasley. ‘The idea will be to open it up to the broader architectural community beyond those we would normally look at.’

Lend Lease has already drawn up a longlist of 18 practices as part of a bid to find six architects to deliver initial ‘workplace concepts’ for potential tenants. A zonal planning application by Arup Associates for part of the site is expected to be submitted next week, with detailed design work planned to follow in the coming months.

Meanwhile, current site freeholder the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) is looking to develop 8,000 homes over the next 25 years. In October the company will begin the search for developer and architect teams for the first of five regeneration phases, of which area one is an 800-home neighbourhood in the north of the park.

Next month the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) will submit a planning application for a number of temporary spectator facilities, such as food and drink kiosks. There will also be up to eight sponsors’ showcase pavilions on the site ranging in size from 200m² to 400m², most of which are in early design stages and, according to LOCOG director of venues and infrastructure James Bulley, could still need architects.

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