Masterplan architects shortlist selected

Date released: 21 April 2008

Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) vision to improve Lord’s for future generations of cricketers, Members and cricket fans took another significant step forward as the Club announced the selection of five architectural practices to develop a Masterplan for the Ground.

BDP, David Chipperfield Architects, Dixon Jones, Herzog & de Meuron, and Hopkins Architects have been shortlisted to respond to a comprehensive Masterplan brief that will be provided to them.

They will be asked to prepare a framework showing where and how the needs of Lord’s can be accommodated to enhance this world class sporting venue and deliver improved facilities for Members, fans and players.

They will also be asked to show how they would handle the sensitive location within a historic environment and create a framework for outstanding and internationally recognised architecture. The winner is expected to be selected in early summer.

To help Members and the public keep up-to-date with news on the Masterplan, a special sub-section of the Lord's website has been created: www.lords.org/masterplan

Special selection panel

MCC has also appointed a special panel to review the responses from shortlisted practices, conduct interviews and make a recommendation for approval to the MCC Committee.

The panel chairman will be MCC Member Sir John Egan, former chief executive of Jaguar and BAA. Sir John’s experience of managing world class businesses combined with his knowledge of cricket and Lord’s will be vital in selecting the right architect to take forward the vision for the Ground.

Sir John said: "I am delighted to be involved in a project that will deliver major long-term improvements to Lord’s.

"The panel has a wide mix of expertise from architecture to development and of course cricket; I am confident that our recommendation for the selected architect will deliver the very best for the sport’s home."

Joining him on the panel are respected figures representing the Club, architecture and property development who will help ensure that the winning submission incorporates all the key elements of the vision for Lord’s.

They are: David Batts; Professor Ricky Burdett; Robert Griffiths QC; Blake Gorst; Charles Rifkind; and Sir Nicholas Serota.

Keith Bradshaw: Project 'reaching key milestone' The panel will be assisted by The Architecture Foundation, which has considerable experience in helping clients to select the best architects for important commissions such as Lord’s.

MCC Secretary and Chief Executive, Keith Bradshaw said: "The selection of a shortlist is a key milestone as we seek to deliver significant and long-term improvements at Lord’s.

"The appointment of an advisory panel of experts alongside the Architecture Foundation will ensure a professional and considered approach to the selection process."

The Masterplan brief for Lord’s takes into account the hugely positive feedback and strong support from Members for the Club’s ideas for improving the ground, particularly the increase in capacity and improvement of cricketing facilities such as retractable floodlights.

These ideas were presented to Members as part of a consultation that the Club undertook in autumn last year and included eight roadshow events at Lord’s and other county grounds where David Batts, Keith Bradshaw and Tony Lewis presented a vision for the future of Lord’s.