CABE's London 2012 panel is unable to support the Olympic Delivery Authority's (ODA) proposed designs for the International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre (IBC/MPC), on the edge of the Olympic Park.

The panel has reviewed all of the key projects for the Games and in the majority of proposals has praised the ODA’s determination to deliver good design and a strong legacy. But there are serious concerns with this project over the quality of architecture of both main buildings, which is described as 'extremely weak'.

The design for the IBC shows a 'paucity of imagination' and the panel believes it could even blight the Olympic Legacy. More work is also needed to improve the 'large monolithic block' of the MPC. Although the site had originally been conceived to operate in Legacy as a vibrant neighbourhood, the planning application shows that it will now operate under a business park model instead.


CABE recommends the ODA develops a new strategy to secure the necessary architectural quality to attract investors and provide the competitive edge which a business park in this location needs.

Paul Finch, chair of the London 2012 design review panel, comments: "Unless there is a fundamental rethink, then people could be forgiven for wondering why sheds have been removed from the Lower Lea Valley in the name of high quality urban regeneration, only to be reinstated at a much larger scale. When we talk about poor architecture we are not just talking about style here. We mean identity and character, and scale and coherence, and the creation of a legacy which is appropriate to a site of this importance."

Outline planning permission was granted in September 2007. The planning application for detailed design was submitted on 10 March 2009. A decision is expected to be made on 9 June 2009. If the planning authority does give the scheme approval, then CABE urges it to be conditional approval upon improving the architectural quality of the scheme.

(GK/JM)