THE Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) has accepted that an entry from a London architecture firm was the first one chosen by a jury in a competition to design U2’s new recording studio.

Peter Coyne, the chief executive of the DDDA, is to fly to London tomorrow for discussions with 3W, whose entry was the design to which the jury was first predisposed, the authority has conceded.

The DDDA hopes to reach an an amicable resolution with the firm. The deal is likely to include official recognition that 3W had the best entry, and the firm could get preferred entry in future DDDA competitions.

3W was identified as the original winner two weeks ago after Irish-Architecture.com, an internet site, asked all entrants to publicise their designs. The London firm was surprised to discover that the DDDA had commissioned an independent audit by Price Waterhouse Coopers to verify entries. 3W was not contacted by the consultants.

The architects contend that all was proper with their entry and it included all the necessary documentation, including the €100 entry fee.

Yesterday Andrew Wells, an architect on the 3W design team, said: “We want to see this issue resolved next week. There are a number of questions which must still be answered.

“Why if the entry was invalid was Price Waterhouse and legal opinion called in, in an attempt to find the designers of the originally selected entry?” A spokesman of the DDDA said: “We have been in communication with 3W to explain what happened to its entry, just as the DDDA has been in contact with a number of other firms. That process of explanation is continuing.”

The 3W design included a 100-metre concrete tower with an observation platform.

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