Lord's set for facelift

Marylebone Cricket Club have revealed a shortlist of five architects engaged to design the masterplan for the redevelopment of Lord's.

The quintet of architectural practices are BDP, David Chipperfield Architects, Dixon Jones, Herzog & de Meuron, and Hopkins Architects.

They will each pitch to be the ones awarded the chance to offer a redesign framework which enhances the world's most famous cricket ground without losing its sense of tradition. The decision will be made later in the summer.

Lord's is due to be redeveloped without losing the tradition which is synonymous with the ground

MCC have also appointed a special panel, chaired by Sir John Egan, former chief executive of Jaguar and BAA, to review the responses from shortlisted practices, conduct interviews and make a recommendation for approval to the MCC committee.

"The selection of a shortlist is a key milestone as we seek to deliver significant and long-term improvements at Lord's," said MCC chief executive Keith Bradshaw.

"The appointment of an advisory panel of experts will ensure a professional and considered approach to the selection process."

Recommendations for the makeover include an increase in capacity to between 35,000 and 40,000, the installation of retractable floodlights, relocation of the MCC museum and development of an indoor cricket school.