Jubilee Gardens shortlist announced

Jubilee Gardens seen from the London Eye in November 2004

Gross Max will already be familar to some as the Edinburgh-based firm appointed to oversee improvements to Potters Fields near Tower Bridge. Meanwhile Thomas Heatherwick – responsible for the roll-up bridge at Paddingon Basin – is working on plans to improve the Great Maze Pond approach to Guy's Hospital.

"We were very impressed by the variety and the expertise of the seven teams we interviewed, and the group felt confident that any of the four finalists would be capable of producing a very fine scheme for Jubilee Gardens," commented Paul Finch, chair of CABE and chair of the Jubilee Gardens Review Panel. "We look forward to the next stage of a competition that will attract strong attention from local communities, Londoners in general, and international audiences who know and visit the South Bank. It has been a pleasure to see so much co-operation and mutual understanding on the part of the stakeholders in this project, which bodes well for the future."

The first stage of the competition, based on written submissions and interviews, was used to assess the creativity, technical ability and financial standing of entrants. The shortlisted teams will now be tasked with preparing a concept design in response to a detailed project brief and evaluation criteria.  The concepts will then be put forward for public consultation.

The consultation process will commence in Spring 2005 and is expected to include public information meetings, workshops with local residents and employees and an exhibition which will tour various sites in Waterloo. Opportunities to participate in the consultation will be well advertised locally and those interested may also register their details on the Jubilee Gardens website

Ted Inman, CEO of South Bank Employers' Group and Chair of Jubilee Gardens Steering Group says: "Jubilee Gardens sits at London's cultural heart and it is vital that we get the design right for this hugely important site.  The Steering Group includes the South Bank Centre, which holds the lease on the Gardens, and a wide range of local interests all determined to turn Jubilee Gardens into the park that local residents and employees, as well as visitors to the area, really deserve."