Leading architects praise London 2012 designs

6/30/2009

Leading figures from the world of architecture have praised the designs and progress of the Olympic Park’s venues following a tour of the site.

Along with the architects who have worked on the individual venues and projects, experts and representatives from the world of design and architecture including CABE and RIBA, were invited to see the progress being made on the site.

A new publication bringing together all of the designs of the main venues, infrastructure and parklands has also been produced and can be downloaded from the London 2012 website.

Lord Richard Rogers said: “The new Olympic Park will be a fantastic place and will help to regenerate east London. The designs show exciting sculptural form and will enhance the landscape."

Joanna Averley, deputy chief executive of CABE said: “Seeing the project at this stage is an amazing celebration of British engineering, as well as British architecture, particularly the Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre and Velodrome, which will provide a lasting legacy for London.”

Paul Davis, architect and RIBA representative said: “I’m most impressed by the Olympic Stadium. Not just because it is impressive but because it’s actually so simple. For me that is what some of the best architecture is about.”

The bus tour stopped at venues including the Zaha Hadid designed Aquatics Centre and the Populous designed Olympic Stadium and gave the designers an opportunity to discuss the design concepts of the buildings that are now coming out of the ground.

Nicolas Serota, ODA Board member said: “Now that the project is in the ‘big build’ stage, architects can actually see the designs that they have previously only seen on paper rising out of the ground before them. The visit gave people a real sense of the progress that has been made over the last year.

“This is a really valuable forum for us as it encourages an exchange of ideas which can be taken through to the next stage of design.”

 

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