Masterplanner Competition

In February 2010, Capco shortlisted six renowned architects and urban planners and invited them to enter a competition to select a masterplanner for the Earls Court Project. Proposals, presentations and models were submitted in April, and in May it was announced that Sir Terry Farrell had been awarded the role of masterplanner.

His practice, Terry Farrell and Partners, will be working closely with the Earls Court Project Team and consulting local communities before designing a final masterplan. This will be submitted for planning approval in the summer of 2011.

The brief

The six architectural practices selected to enter the competition were asked to present proposals outlining their approach to the layout of streets, public gardens, housing and work spaces across the 77 acres of the Earls Court Project Area. Capco’s brief specified that each proposal had to:

• reflect what already works best in London and other global cities, whilst also being innovative, experimental, bold and ambitious

• set a new standard for healthier and more neighbourly, active and environmentally sensitive ways of living

• enable a very low local carbon and ecological footprint among residents, businesses and visitors, and encourage a Copenhagen-style bike culture

• offer a unique and interesting sequence of social spaces for quiet contemplation and public events alongside lively London streets

• work at different levels with an array of balconies, roof gardens, streets and terraces

• offer distinctive and inviting shops, restaurants and cultural venues for experiencing the arts and for learning and participation

• create a destination where people aspire to live – and can live – regardless of budget or life stage

• provide a clear identity for the Earls Court Project by being familiar yet contemporary in appearance, enhancing the surrounding streets and integrating effectively into the physical and social fabric of West Central London

The six world-class masterplanners invited to submit proposals were:

Allies and Morrison
Benoy
Terry Farrell and Partners
KPF
Make
Studio Egret West

Each of these architectural practices was selected on the basis of past experience and portfolios.

The competition

Designs and scale models were displayed on Capco’s Covent Garden estate at Flower Cellars, 4-6 Russell Street, on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th April, and the exhibition was attended by representatives from:

• Capco
• Transport for London
• The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
• The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
• The Greater London Authority
• Network Rail
• CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment)

All those who attended wrote notes on the key strengths and weaknesses of each proposal and left a list of questions for the architects.

On Monday 19th April each of the six architectural practices gave a full presentation of their proposal for the Earls Court Project. The presentations, facilitated by Paul Finch, Chairman of CABE,  were received by representatives from Capital & Counties, Transport for London and the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, as well as members of the Earls Court Project Team covering landscape and public realm, sustainability and town planning.

Tell us what you think

We have appointed a masterplanner, but the actual masterplan has yet to be decided. We’d like to hear your opinions and concerns about the Earls Court Project, so simply register and have your say.