Project to find Grenfell memorial designer launched

A project to select a designer to create a memorial for the victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster has been launched.

The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission and the Royal Institute of British Architects published their design brief on Wednesday morning providing criteria that interested teams must meet to take part in the process and how to apply.

Thelma Stober and Lord Paul Boateng, co-chairs of the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission, said they were committed to establishing "a dignified and peaceful space for the Grenfell community to commemorate".

Seventy-two people were killed in the fire in west London on 14 June 2017.

Among the commission's recommendations was that the community should be central to decisions about the memorial.

The design should include a garden, a monument or other structure, and options for commemorating the names of those lost, featuring art, water, and light, the commission said.

It also noted that the memorial must be a "peaceful, sacred space for individual and communal remembrance and reflection" and reflect the diverse faiths and cultural backgrounds of the Grenfell community.

The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission’s 10 community representatives, said: "We intend to identify and appoint a specialist and worthy design team.

"A team that has proven experience of working on sensitive and community-focused projects, and who can clearly demonstrate the integrity with which they will approach this vital task.

"The beautiful and lasting memorial to our 72 loved ones deserves nothing less."

Teams have been asked to demonstrate their relevant, professional and specialist expertise in aspects including architecture, landscape architecture, and structural and mechanical engineering, and must have a strong experience of working collaboratively with communities, the commission said.

A shortlist of up to five teams will be formed in the autumn, with those groups being asked to prepare their design approach.

The commission hopes to select and announce the final team in spring 2025, following direct input from the Grenfell community.

A planning application for the memorial is then expected to be made in 2027.

The deadline for designer submissions is 18 September 2024.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]