Leading national homebuilder Taylor Wimpey and L&Q, one of London’s largest residential developers – who have been selected to develop Chobham Manor by the London Legacy Development Corporation – have teamed up with the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust to offer two work placements to architectural undergraduates, graduates or post-graduates from east London who are currently out of work.

The six-week placements will see the successful candidates spend time with leading architectural firms working on the Chobham Manor neighbourhood at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, including PRP, Make, Haworth Tompkins, Karakusevic Carson and muf architecture/art.

Candidates will be shortlisted by the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, and then invited to enter a competition to design a sustainable home for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Although the home will not be built, the process will offer candidates the chance to showcase their own ideas. The two winners will take up the placements later this summer, under the guidance of apprenticeship training agency Reds10.

Symon Sentain, Chair of the Stephen Lawrence Trust, said:

“We are delighted to be a partner in this creative venture. The Trust works to transform the lives of disadvantaged young people and make social mobility a working reality. This project will assist in doing just that.”

Belinda Moreau-Jones, Community Investment Officer for L&Q and spokesperson for the Chobham Manor project team, said:

“The architects working on Chobham Manor were selected for the job because of their innovative approach to design and experience of prestigious projects.

“To be able to learn from them is an incredible opportunity for anyone looking to get their career in architecture off to the very best start.”

Dennis Hone, Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain skills that could set them on the right path to a fantastic new career. New homes on the Park will leave a physical legacy and schemes like this are key to the social legacy of the Games – providing jobs, skills training and helping unemployed people back into the job market. I encourage every young person with an interest in architecture to apply.” 

Those wishing to be considered for the competition must live in Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Hackney or Greenwich and be studying architecture at university, or be a recent architectural graduate who has not obtained employment or significant work experience within the architectural field. They must also be available from the beginning of August for six weeks. The application deadline is Monday 15th July.

More information about the placements, entry criteria and details of how to enter the competition can be found by visiting the Stephen Lawrence website.
The first new homes are anticipated to go on sale in 2014 at Chobham Manor, which will be located between the East Village and Lee Valley VeloPark at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The public will be able to view detailed proposals included in the reserved matters application for the first phase of new homes at Chobham Manor in July, before they are submitted to the local planning authority, the London Legacy Development Corporation.