Legacy chiefs keen to bring a South Bank buzz to Stratford

Olympic chiefs hope to bring the atmosphere of London’s South Bank to Stratford as they seek designs for new public spaces after next year’s Games.

The Olympic Park Legacy Company has challenged architects, engineers and designers to come up with ideas for a series of public spaces in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. They want the space, which will sit between Zaha Hadid’s aquatics centre, the Olympic stadium and the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower, to have the feel of the south bank of the Thames, with outdoor events, water features and a skate park.

A second space will be set within the green river valley created for the 2012 Games and will include playgrounds, a visitor centre with a cafe and seating terrace and a large indoor space for schools and community groups to use.

Teams have five weeks to come forward with initial ideas for the park which will open in 2013.

Andrew Altman, chief executive of the Olympic Park Legacy Company, said: “The south park will be London’s newest and most exciting public space, welcoming the world to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

“With millions of people expected to visit the Park each year, this is a unique opportunity for design teams to create exceptional places that match the stunning mix of iconic venues and parkland that surround them.”

Hugh Robertson, minister for sport and the Olympics, added: “I went to see the very best designers come forward with plans to compliment the iconic sports buildings already evident on the park and create a vibrant, exciting and sustainable new space.”

London Mayor Boris Johnson predicted designers would “relish the opportunity”.

Interested groups have until August 31 to submit outline ideas and shortlisted teams will then be asked to produce a concept design in the autumn.

Visit www.legacycompany.co.uk/designcompetition to find out more.