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BAA has asked four high-profile architects to submit proposals for the Heathrow East Terminal project.

Foster and Partners, Grimshaw, Reid Architecture and the Richard Rogers Partnership have been invited to submit early design drawings for the scheme, also known as Heathrow Terminal 2.

Structural engineers Arup, Buro Happold, Halcrow, Whitby Bird, WSP have also been asked to submit early development work for the project.

Mike Forster, business strategy director, BAA Heathrow said: "The Heathrow East Terminal proposal is at a very early stage. We are currently in active discussion with airlines and other stakeholders, assessing the viability of the project. As these discussions take place we need to prepare for the commencement of early design and development work and this is why we have approached the above organisations. This early work is critical as it will help us understand the key elements of the potential project. We will make an appointment in each of the above three areas in early 2006."

Mark Shirburne Davies, Facility Solutions Director, BAA said: "All of the above companies are preferred BAA suppliers. Richard Rogers and Arup are incumbents on Terminal 5 and the others work on projects across BAA's 7 UK airports (non Terminal 5 work). We are committed to working with our preferred supplier base as they have proven to us that they have the right capability and capacity to deliver large scale projects."