An international design competition has been launched in the search for designers to help create a new “world class” cultural and educational quarter in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Dubbed “Olympicopolis”, the Stratford mega campus is the vision of Mayor of London Boris Johnson with the aim of attracting unparalleled collaboration in education, training and research to the Stratford site

To bring his vision to life, the mayor has begun a global search to find a team of architects, master planners, place makers, engineers and landscape designers.

Making the announcement yesterday, Mr Johnson said the hunt for “top design talent” would help “stimulate further growth”,

He added: “As the world’s eyes turn once again to the UK ahead of a major sporting spectacular, London’s Olympic and Paralympic legacy is helping to transform Stratford into a vibrant new metropolitan centre.”

University College London has been described as a “key partner” in the wider Olympicopolis scheme while the Victoria and Albert Museum and Sadler’s Wells are already said to be planning their involvement.

Games legacy boss Dennis Hone said: “This is a unique opportunity for the world’s best architects and designers to be part of and create one of the most exciting projects in the next few years.”

The open, two-stage competition will start in September under the management of arts competition specialists Malcolm Reading Consultants.

It will feature an open first stage seeking expressions of interest from multi-disciplinary teams with relevant experience.

From these, five finalists are to be chosen to submit concept designs with the winning team expected to be announced in March next year.

Olympicopolis takes its name from Prince Albert’s Albertopolis, an 86-acre “hub” in South Kensington created using proceeds from the 1851 Great Exhibition.

To register your interest, click here and sign up.