Living Steel is pleased to announce that Piercy Conner UK, winners of 1^st International Architecture Competition for Sustainable Housing for the Kolkata, India demonstration, have formally signed an agreement to finalize their designs for construction. Piercy Conner will further develop Symhouse Mk1, the firm's initial winning concept design, and produce detailed and final designs in cooperation with a local architect in Kolkata. As well, they will serve as consulting architects during the implementation phase of the project.

"We're really excited to see Symhouse Mk1 actually go to construction," said Richard Conner, partner, who will lead the project for Piercy Conner UK. "We're a young firm, and the idea of working in a new environment and learning more about its culture is an inspiring challenge for us."

Conner was introduced to Kolkata last year when he joined the Living Steel India Demonstration Team in meetings with developer Bengal Shrachi where prospective building sites and traditional construction sites were visited. Living Steel signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bengal Shrachi last March 2006.

"The Kolkata site will be the first of five buildings we hope to build in the world during the Living Steel five-year programme duration," said Scott Chubbs, Programme Director. "These residential projects will serve as a real-life example of the role steel plays in developing comfortable, affordable and effective housing."

A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to take place in the first half of 2007 and building will commence in the second half of the year.

Living Steel will be putting an internet camera in place, and visitors to www.livingsteel.org will be able to watch the progress of the Kolkata demonstration building's construction from anywhere in the world. Watch the site for news on when it will come online.