Zada Hadid joins ten designers in the Dome

The New Millennium Experience Company has confirmed the appointment of the 11th, and probably last, group to work on the interiors of the Greenwich Dome.

Architect Zaha Hadid, thought to have been shortlisted some weeks ago (DW 7 November), has now “signed on the dotted line”, says an NMEC spokesman. An unnamed 12th group which was also expected to be appointed has not yet signed – although the NMEC declines to reveal why.

The project is now likely to go ahead with just 11 groups on board. The other ten are Bent-heim, Eva Jiricna Associates, Jasper Jacob Associates, HP:ICM, Land, Media Projects International, Muf, Park Avenue Productions, Spectrum and Work.

No decision has yet been made by NMEC on whether the groups will work together or independently. A public launch, when some of their ideas for the interior of the Dome are likely to be revealed, is planned for the first quarter of 1998. No more exact date is being made available.

This week, in a separate move, Minister Without Portfolio Peter Mandelson announced the formation of a junior board of advisors to the Dome project. Twenty young people, between the ages of ten and 16, will be chosen to represent what children want to see in the Dome. Discussions with children’s organisations about arranging a selection process are now underway. The board will be officially launched in February.