Led by UK housing minister Mark Prisk, architects from five high-profile British practices - Haworth Tompkins, Foster & Partners, Amanda Levete Architects, Avanti Architects and de Matos Ryan - have embarked on a week-long visit to Brazil in search of major infrastructure opportunities for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games. The trip is part of the UKBrasil Season, a six-month series of dynamic and engaging projects designed to showcase the best of British business, culture, science and innovation in Brazil and become the largest post-Olympic legacy project in the world.
Mark Prisk stated: “Brazilian companies in these cities are actively looking for fast-track construction systems, innovative building materials and low carbon solutions to meet current and future demand, not only in preparation for hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games but also to compete in the country’s many major infrastructure projects.
More after the break...
“Brazil is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies with a rapidly growing middle class and a large, competitive, domestic market. Its long term economic growth and massive natural resources make Brazil a hugely important strategic partner for UK business.
“The UK became the second-largest foreign investor in Brazil in 2011 and it is clear that our two countries have much to offer each other in terms of sustainable, built environment technologies and services.’
UKTI estimates that the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and Rio Olympics two years later will create more than 12,000 infrastructure projects. In an effort to exploit this opportunity, the team of architects will meet with top officials of the 2016 Olympics Athletes’ Village procurement team; Rio’s State Works Secretariat; and Municipal Housing Secretariat.
As we previously announced, a team led by AECOM won the master planning of the 2016 Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro (check it out here). During this time of rapid preparation for these two world-events, it is important to consider How (Not) To Host The Olympics.
