Grimshaw to oversee Heathrow expansion

Grimshaw is set to masterplan one of the most controversial projects in the country, the £13 billion expansion of Heathrow Airport including a third runway.

The practice, which prides itself on its green credentials including designing the Eden Project and being a founder member of the UK Green Building Council, beat firms including YRM, HOK and RMJM in a competition launched by BAA in the summer.

The Runway 3 project, which also includes a sixth terminal, has become a lightning rod for protest by the green movement, and architects thought to be involved are increasingly becoming the target of climate-change activists.

Last week, members of the Plane Stupid campaign group hijacked BD’s Architect of the Year Awards, handing a spoof award to Pascall & Watson, the firm it believed was in line for the job.

Grimshaw and BAA declined to comment on the winner of the masterplanning scheme, but losing bidders were recently told by Runway 3 programme leader Ian Guy that the firm had scooped the job following a standstill period.

Greenpeace spokesman Ben Stewart said: “Companies that work on these projects deserve to have the spotlight thrown on them. The third runway is one of the greatest climate change projects on the planet — it is iconic.

“Any company that is contributing to the efforts to build it will undoubtedly be the target of a peaceful campaign.”

But John Alker, a spokesman for the UK Green Building Council, defended Grimshaw, pointing out that air travel was responsible for less carbon emissions than buildings.

“I know this is a hugely controversial project,” he said, “but flying is a relatively small part of the problem.”

Runway 3 has the backing of the Labour government, but has effectively been put on hold until after the general election because of Conservative Party opposition.

A source close to the job revealed that BAA had overseen a lightning quick masterplanning competition.

“This has been very, very quick by BAA standards,” the source said. “I think they wanted to get up a head of steam before the election and any possible axing.”

Grimshaw is currently remodelling the existing Terminal 1 building at Heathrow and has a long track record of airport work including schemes at Stansted, Gatwick and Manchester.