Government design watchdog notes 'unwillingness' of ODA to commit to facade for Olympic venue
The UK government's design watchdog has taken a swipe at the Olympic Delivery Authority's “unwillingness” to commit to a particular facade for the basketball arena.
Cabe gave the venue, designed by Wilkinson Eyre, a mostly positive review but said that the issue of the facade remained unresolved.
In its design review statement, Cabe said: “We believe the facade treatment should be a reserved matter to ensure that the aspirations of both the client and design team do not end up being compromised… we would, of course, have preferred to see a detailed planning application in which a crucial element of the design, the facade, had been resolved.”
The single-skin cladding could reportedly be made of recyclable PVC or hemp, but Cabe talked of “unwillingness so far on the client's part to commit to a particular facade”.
The review also revealed that the London Development Agency, which is overseeing the 2012 Games legacy, is exploring post-Games use of the temporary structure.
Cabe praised Wilkinson Eyre and its consultants for its “very considerable efforts” to address the budgetary constraints it had been presented with.
Wilkinson Eyre has designed the temporary basketball venue with KSS Design Group, Sinclair Knight Merz and Nussli International
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