One senior designer said: "Everyone in the architecture fraternity is sticking together and backing RRP. If RRP cannot deliver the project at that cost [£27m], then nobody else is going to be able to do so without hacking to pieces the original design."
Another said architects were reluctant to bid because it might seem distasteful to take advantage of a rival's misfortune. He said: "I think it's a case of architects being concerned about what other architects would think. You don't want to swoop in like vultures. If that wasn't the case I'm sure we'd all jump at it."
The source added that another reason architects might not be interested was because they were being marginalised by project managers in public building projects. "Public bodies want assurances that they can get maximum value from buildings," he said, "which places them directly in the hands of the contractors."
A Welsh assembly source confirmed that a contractor was likely to take over. He said: "One of the things we were getting frustrated about was an architect failing to keep an eye on costs."
I think architects are concerned about what others would think
Senior Welsh architect
A spokesman said developers and architects had expressed an interest but conceded that the number of interested parties was "closer to five than 100".
Rogers is believed to be on that list of five, despite falling out publicly with assembly members. Richard Rogers has said his practice could still deliver the project on budget, and is in negotiations with the assembly over this, but officials in the finance department have made it clear that Rogers has not assured them on key points.
Edwina Hart, who heads the finance department, and Rogers are on holiday, so the dispute is unlikely to be resolved this month.
