A key Foster and Partners architect has defected to Make, the practice set up at the end of last year by Ken Shuttleworth, Lord Foster's former right-hand man
John Prevc, who has been at the practice for nine years, has been heading work on one of the firm's most important projects: the masterplan for the 拢1.5bn regeneration of Elephant & Castle in south London.

Prevc said he had not held in-depth discussions with Shuttleworth over his role at Make. He said: "I'll be bringing a different angle to what Ken does. It's a chance for me to help start a practice with a different view of life. We're all going to muck in."

The news will come as a setback to Foster, who has already lost project directors Sean Affleck and Jason Parker to Shuttleworth.

Industry sources had long speculated that there was a rift between Shuttleworth and Foster. The two were reported to have fallen out over the interview Shuttleworth gave to 黑洞社区 last January, in which he discussed his role in some of the practice's most prestigious buildings.

It has yet to be confirmed who will take over any further work on Elephant & Castle. However, Prevc said the project had come to a natural ending after planning permission was secured from Southwark council.

  • Southwark council has started an offensive to woo developers to take on the regeneration of Elephant & Castle. The plans require the removal of the notorious pink shopping centre and the 1100-home Heygate council estate behind it. The council hopes to rebuild the estate in partnership with a housing association.