Only two architects have won Olympic village work

Only two architects from a framework of 47 have been appointed to work on the £2bn Olympic village so far, it has emerged.

In the seven months since the framework was announced, only Glenn Howells Architects and Patel Taylor have been commissioned to design buildings. Each will handle an accommodation block.

It is understood that confusion over the number of athletes that will use the village during the Games is holding back progress. A source close to the project said: “The delay has come about because they are reconfiguring the overall site. There is a lack of clarity coming from the Olympic Delivery Authority over how many athletes will be housed.”

The framework was finalised last August to help design the athletes village for the 2012 Games. It included established names such as Howells and Ian Ritchie Architects, as well as up-and-coming practices such as Alison Brooks Architects, Fat and Surface Architects.

Six practices were then selected in November to deliver the first phase: Ian Ritchie, Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, Penoyre & Prasad, Munkenbeck + Marshall Architects, Howells and Patel Taylor, but only the latter two have been commissioned.

A Lend Lease spokesperson said: “We are working closely with the village design review panel and the ODA and are happy with the way the project is progressing. We are on track to start construction this summer.”

It has emerged that a similar framework approach will be adopted for the 2012 media centre. A consortium comprising Igloo, Carillion and Allies and Morrison is understood to have had its bid approved by the ODA, but is waiting for the London Development Agency to give its approval.

Allies and Morrison will design the 1.3 million ft2 centre, but a source close to Igloo said a small framework of architects would be sought to help deliver smaller residential and other buildings.