Sir Terry Farrell - new plans treat Edinburgh conference centre with "contempt"

Sir Terry Farrell has objected strongly to proposals that threaten the architectural integrity of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC). Sir Terry has attacked the scheme which, he argues, undermines the architectural integrity of the building and treats it with “considerable contempt”. Journalists and photographers are invited to one-to-one briefings with Sir Terry at the Farrells Edinburgh office, where he will outline his objections in further detail. Models will be available that compare the agreed masterplan for the EICC and surrounding Exchange district with the new proposals. Venue Farrells Edinburgh, 6 Hope Street, Edinburgh EH2 4DB Date Thursday 17 September Time By arrangement from midday Sir Terry was the masterplanner for the Edinburgh Exchange district, and later designed the hugely successful Edinburgh International Conference Centre. He is extremely proud of the building, which he considers his enduring architectural legacy in Edinburgh. As masterplanner, Sir Terry was responsible for setting the design guidelines for the conference centre expansion, which were agreed with the Council’s planners and EICC executive at the outset of their expansion plans. Sir Terry believes that the new proposals by Building Design Partnership insensitively disregard those guidelines and seek to permanently damage the essential architectural character of the award-winning building. Despite being the originator of the Exchange District masterplan and its guidelines, he has not been consulted on the latest proposals, which are currently before the City of Edinburgh planning committee. Sir Terry Farrell stepped down this week as Edinburgh Design Champion – a post he has held since February 2004. Ends Notes to Editors 1. Sir Terry Farrell CBE is an architect and urban designer with a global reputation and is considered to be Britain’s most successful architectural masterplanner with offices in London, Edinburgh and Hong Kong. In practice for over forty years, he has completed iconic, award-winning buildings and masterplans in cities including London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Singapore and Seoul. In 2007 he was appointed by the Government as design champion for the Thames Gateway Parklands, and is currently working with the Homes and Communities Agency on a spatial vision for the Thames Gateway. 2. Terry Farrell was appointed as Edinburgh Design Champion by Edinburgh City Council in February 2004 – a role which was extended for a further year in 2008. As an independent design champion, Sir Terry sought to address place-making issues across the city and the surrounding region through a proactive planning approach. He published “12 Challenges” to the City, which were exhibited in public and presented to Edinburgh City Council in May 2008. 3. Sir Terry is available for interview.

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