Allies and Morrison’s role on the 750,000 ft2 Olympic broadcast centre, which is part of the Games’ £385m media centre, is in doubt as the Olympic Delivery Authority looks to replace its original plans with a temporary building.
It is understood that the plan for a permanent international broadcast centre that was to have become a hub for media companies after the 2012 Olympics, is unlikely to go ahead.
The ODA is instead believed to have instructed shed specialist RPS Burks Green to work up designs for a wholly temporary structure.
The ODA denies that Allies and Morrison’s position has been affected by the appointment. However, sources close to the wrangle say the architect was told it no longer had a role on the broadcast centre, but should instead concentrate on designing the 200,000ft2 of offices needed to support it. A source said: “Essentially, Allies and Morrison are being taken completely off the broadcast centre.”
Under current plans the offices are likely to be the only permanent legacy of the media centre. The ODA is talking to developer Westfield about moving the 300,000ft2 main press centre to the nearby Stratford City development.
The ODA said: “As the design develops it is necessary to engage specialist designers and contractors. Allies and Morrison’s role is unchanged.”
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