Architect walks away from key-worker project after Newham council insists on design changes
Walking off the job: Jacques Herzog (right) and Harry Gugger (left)
The architect behind the Tate Modern has walked out on a government-backed housing scheme in Plaistow, east London.
Stirling prize winner Herzog & de Meuron has left its first large housing project in the UK after a row over design changes demanded by Newham council planners.
It is understood the architect ran out of patience with the project, which was supposed to begin detailed development in 2003 but is still undergoing brief changes.
Herzog & de Meuron’s designs for the 90-unit key-worker housing scheme for developer London & Quadrant Housing Trust at Greengate House will now be scrapped and the project will be re-tendered.
Four practices have been asked to submit applications to contractor Higgins, which is working with the London Development Agency on the scheme. The firms – Levitt Bernstein, Stanford Eatwell, MEPK, and Stephen Davey Peter Smith – will be assessed by competitive interview.
Tony Winterbottom, executive director of regeneration and development at the LDA, said he was disappointed that the internationally renowned architect had left the scheme.
He said: “I’ve spent many hours persuading Herzog & de Meuron, arguably one of the best firms of architects in the world, to do a key-worker housing scheme in Plaistow at Greengate House.
“The project has suffered many changes and I am very disappointed that the original design was not able to be implemented. Given its commitments to completing the main stadium for the Beijing Olympics, I can understand the firm’s reluctance to tackle the revised brief.”
A spokesperson for the LDA added: “The revised document was negotiated between Newham and Herzog & de Meuron, which caused several problems and delays.”
Greengate House was bought by the LDA in 2001 and the original design competition was launched in 2003. Herzog & de Meuron was appointed from a list of 40 firms considered for the project, which involves redeveloping a brownfield site with an existing building.
When the firm was appointed in October 2003 partner Harry Gugger, said: “We are thrilled to be selected for the re-development of Greengate House.”
Herzog & de Meuron and London & Quadrant refused to comment.
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