RIBA London News Release

 26 January 2007
Contact: Miranda Housden, Head of RIBA London
020 7307 3726 or
miranda.housden@ inst.riba. org
mailto:miranda. housden%40inst. riba.org>

Excellent Olympic Speed Dating for London Architects

 London Architectural practices are being offered
the opportunity of a"hot date" with the people responsible for the
2012 Olympic infrastructure on 15 February. So if they fail to
achieve their Valentine's Day ambitions, they have a chance to woo
the ODA, LOCOG, Design for London and other major commissioning bodies.
The event is organised by RIBA London and is taking place at the RIBA
headquarters at 66 Portland Place, starting at 7pm.

Playing cupid is Tom Dyckoff, the Times Architecture correspondent,
who together with Daisy Froud, Head of Participation and a Partner
in the architectural practice, AOC, is hosting the event.

Each of the would be suitors will be given five minutes to make their
pitch before being moved on. Among the targets for their approaches are
Jerome Frost, Head of Design at the ODA (Olympic Delivery Authority),
Derek Wilson, Architectural Advisor at LOCOG (London Organising Committee
of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) and representatives from HOK
Sport and Allies and Morrison, two of the architectural practices involved
in the games.

The event has been organised as a follow up to the
RIBA London Annual Dinner in November which focussed on the 2012 Olympic
Legacy. RIBA London Chair, Andrew Hanson made a plea on behalf of
London's architects: "London is currently the home of some of the best
designers in the world. The RIBA has a tried and tested model for
architectural competitions and has a team of experts specifically set
up to organise and run them.

"What better way can there be of celebrating London's claim to be the
model of a new type of multi-racial,multicultural city than encouraging
architectural diversity by appointing, through tough competition, a
multitude of architects to design from, at one extreme, the ticket booths
information kiosks and hot-dog stands right up to the major stadia?

"I am fully aware that many of the larger commissions are already underway
but there is still time to take your pick of the best designers in the world,
and they are available to you locally, literally in some cases on your own
door step."

David Lammy, Minister for the Arts emphasised that "London 2012 will
transform people's lives in one of the poorest areas of London, as
well as inspiring greater cultural and sporting activity." He saw an
exciting role for London's architects in create an immense legacy
while demonstrating best design practise.

Notes to editors:
For information about the event, please contact Miranda Housden, Head
of RIBA London 020 7307 3726 or miranda.housden@ inst.riba. org