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 鈥渦nwillingness鈥 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: 鈥淲e 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鈥 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.鈥

The single-skin cladding could reportedly be made of recyclable PVC or hemp, but Cabe talked of 鈥渦nwillingness so far on the client's part to commit to a particular facade鈥.

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 鈥渧ery considerable efforts鈥 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

黑洞社区 the London 2012 Olympics timeline