RIBA Competitions is pleased to announce the launch of a competitive selection process on behalf of Islington Council for developing the St Luke’s Area. The site contains the Finsbury Leisure Centre, football pitches, a nursery and public space.

The Council wishes to deliver an exemplary civic building that will be designed and built to serve local people. It will be unique: bringing together leisure, childcare, healthcare and local energy production under one roof. Much needed affordable homes, some market sale homes and improved public space will be provided on the rest of the site. The anticipated construction cost is anticipated to be in the region of GBP £49m for the overall scheme.

Islington Council wishes to appoint an experienced design team capable of developing an exemplary set of proposals that delivers the Council’s ambitions within the site’s constraints and opportunities. The appointed design team will also be expected to engage and excite the local community in the development of proposals for the new civic building and the rest of the site.

Cllr James Murray, Islington Council’s executive member for housing and development, said:
“This is an exciting and ambitious project to deliver leisure, health and childcare facilities under one roof, as well as new council homes for local people.

Good public buildings and well-designed council homes improve people’s quality of life. We want the new buildings to be high quality so they can serve the local community in St Luke’s in the 21st century.

Through the design competition we will also make sure that local people and people who use our services are involved at the earliest possible stage of the project.”

An equal honorarium of £7,500 (+VAT) will be paid to each of the five design teams short-listed to participate in the tender and design concept phase of the competition.  All short-listed proposed designs will be exhibited at a public exhibition, where members of the local community will have the opportunity to comment on them.

It is the intention that the successful design team will be appointed by the Council to develop detailed designs leading to submission of a planning application.  It is anticipated that should planning permission be obtained and development of the site proceeds, the architect may be asked to supervise the build out of the development.  This may involve novation of the appointment to the successful constructor / developer.

In the first instance, Expressions of Interest are invited in accordance with the requirements set out in the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire available from the London Tenders Portal at:

https://www.londontenders.org

The deadline for submissions is 14.00hrs (BST) on MONDAY 19 October 2015.

– Ends –

Notes to Editors:

• Islington Council – Members of the public can find further information about the design competition and the wider redevelopment of the site on Islington Council’s website – www.Islington.gov.uk/stlukes   

• Please ensure RIBA Competitions are credited when mentioning the above competition.  Competitions deliver exciting buildings and projects.  They drive up quality, stimulate creativity and innovation and generate a range of options improving choice.  RIBA Competitions is the Royal Institute of British Architect’s unit dedicated  to organising architectural and other design-related competitions.  For further details visit  www.architecture.com/competitions

Posted on Monday 14th September 2015