Six Finalists for Centre for Music in London

In May the three institutions launched their search for "internationally-recognized experts to develop plans for a state-of-the-art building of acoustic and visual excellence," per today's announcement. With £2.5million in funding from the City of London Corporation, the Centre for Music is aiming to for "a landmark building containing a world-class concert hall for the digital age," one that would be a permanent home to the London Symphony Orchestra and would also host performances from the Barbican’s "family of Associate orchestras and ensembles, as well as performances from touring artists and orchestras from across the UK and the world across a range of genres." The preferred site is just steps from the Barbican on land now occupied by the Museum of London, which is developing plans to move to a larger site at West Smithfield. 

The shortlist of six firms/teams:

• AL_A (UK) and Diamond Schmitt Architects (Canada) 
• Diller Scofidio + Renfro (USA) and Sheppard Robson (UK) 
• Foster + Partners (UK) 
• Gehry Partners, LLP (USA) and Arup Associates (UK) 
• Renzo Piano Building Workshop (France) 
• Snøhetta (Norway) 

Per the statement, the shortlisted architects will receive an Invitation to Tender (ITT) that "will request a detailed response to the design brief, the company’s approach to delivering the project, details of the team that would work on the project and a fee proposal. Shortlisted bids will then be assessed and scored based on their tender submission and, following a detailed interview process with the assessment panel, an appointment decision will be made." No date was indicated as to when the winner will be named.