Grenfell Architect Appointed Without Being Asked About High-Rise Cladding Experience

A senior client on the Grenfell Tower refurbishment project admitted he never asked Studio E if it had experience of cladding a high-rise residential building before he recommended the architect’s appointment. Mark Anderson of Kensington & Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) was unable to tell the Grenfell Inquiry yesterday why he had not asked the question despite the inquiry barrister describing it as “obvious”. The inquiry also heard the question was raised by a resident. Read more on the Housing Today website.

https://www.housingtoday.co.uk/news/grenfell-architect-appointed-without-being-asked-about-high-rise-cladding-experience/5108444.article

Grenfell Architect ‘Didn’t See Work Signed Off As Compliant’

The Grenfell inquiry has heard how the ‘day to day’ architect on the tower’s refurbishment did not recall seeing certification that the work had been signed off as compliant. “While I do not recall seeing the certificate, I understand that the tower was certified as practically complete, which would require Building Control to have signed the tower off as compliant with Building Regulations,” said Neil Crawford of project architects Studio E. Crawford outlined to the inquiry he relied on the “experience and competency” of all of the specialist design subcontractors to produce designs that complied with related requirements. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/grenfell-architect-didnt-see-work-signed-off-as-compliant/