Slide 1 - The Problem Context
There are numerous issues that lead to the dispute, which are outlined on this slide.
Technicalities
The building type has some inflexible parameters, i.e. a small change in one row of seats or area can have severe knock on effects due to sightlines and necessitate a change the structure of a whole stand.
As no regulations for this type of multipurpose arena actually exist the Statutory Authority feel obliged to adopt those for theatres, cinemas and football stadiums. This leads to considerable room for interpretation and argument.
Organisation
As with any large project, particularly one that was part of a portfolio, there are complicated management structures. This intricacy is due to the attempt to get round the Local Government Finance Act and has the unintended consequence of weakening leadership of the project.
None of the members of the project coalition are local, and did not have a strong link with the city, which lessened the incentive to produce a successful outcome.
Whose job is it to ensure that the design meets the relevant regulations? The split between the project and executive architect’s roles may cause neither to feel responsible. HOK as concept architects may feel that their design is correct and it is down to the project architect to steer the design through the relevant local regulatory bodies, while LDBH could take the view that they have been lumbered with an unworkable and ill considered concept.
Unforeseen Event
An Unforeseen (and possible unforeseeable) Event in the shape of the Hillsborough Disaster brings safety issues to the forefront of the Statutory Authority’s concerns.
Attending the inquest will cause emotional stress on Statutory Authority’s perso ...