Process launched to appoint Grenfell Tower Memorial design team

This is a hugely significant step in the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission’s journey to create a bold, fitting and lasting memorial to remember the 72 victims who lost their lives in – and those whose lives were forever changed by – the devastating Grenfell Tower fire.

The Memorial Commission’s publication of its design brief provides the criteria that interested teams must meet, and also details how they can apply. Teams are being asked to demonstrate their relevant professional and specialist expertise including architecture, landscape architecture and structural and mechanical engineering. Teams must also have strong experience of working collaboratively with communities.

A shortlist of up to five teams will be notified in due course. These teams will be asked by the Memorial Commission to prepare the design approach they would take if appointed.

With direct input from the Grenfell Tower community, the final team is expected to be selected and announced early on in 2025. It’s anticipated that the Grenfell Tower Memorial design should be sufficiently developed, in partnership with the community, to allow for a planning application in 2027.

In November last year, the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission published its second report, duly detailing the Grenfell community’s wishes for a permanent memorial. The report called on the Government to honour its earlier commitments and fulfil its moral duty to deliver all sixteen of the Commission’s recommendations.

Among the recommendations are:

*the Grenfell community must always be central to decisions about the Grenfell Tower Memorial

*the Grenfell Tower Memorial must be a peaceful and sacred space for individual and communal remembrance and reflection

*the design must reflect the diverse faiths and cultural backgrounds of the Grenfell community

*the Grenfell Tower Memorial should include a garden, a monument or other structure and options for commemorating the names of those lost, featuring art, water and light

Significant step closer

Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission community representatives have said: “Launching the Grenfell Tower Memorial design team selection process brings us a significant step closer to turning the Grenfell community’s memorial vision into a physical reality.”

The statement continues: “Through this process, 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.”

Thelma Stober and Lord Paul Boateng, co-chairs of the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission, said: “Our primary commitment is to establish a dignified and peaceful space for the Grenfell community to commemorate. From the outset, our fundamental pledge has been to prioritise the voices and wishes of the entire Grenfell community in the decision-making process, both now and in the future.”

Stober and Boateng concluded: “The bereaved, the survivors and the broader Grenfell community will play integral roles at every stage. This will ensure that the final design embodies a truly meaningful tribute to the 72 lives lost and provides a lasting and appropriate place for loved ones to pay their respects, mourn and feel connected to their memory.”

Huge challenge

Jane Duncan OBE PPRIBA, RIBA competitions architect advisor, past-president and chair of the RIBA’s Fire Safety Expert Advisory Group since 2017, commented: “Any selection process to design a memorial is a huge challenge, but the Grenfell Tower tragedy struck a blow so deeply sad, so shocking and so intense into hearts all around the globe that finding the right design team, with its members able to draw upon their deepest streams of empathy and delicacy, is going to be a tricky task.”

Duncan added: “This incredible and unique design team selection process sits naturally on an international stage, just as the tragedy resonated far across the globe. I ask all architects and designers, wherever you may be, to consider if you have the right skills and experience in dealing with many and diverse stakeholders, in sensitivity of approach and compassion, as well as the innovation and creativity to interpret and deliver a wonderful design that meets a very personal and touching brief.”

In conclusion, Duncan observed: “This selection process is a wonderful opportunity to present your most well-rounded team and express your capabilities, your openness, your imagination and also your humanity. We look forward to hearing from you.”

*Submissions for Phase One must be received by 18 September 2024 at noon. Further information is available online