Dan Meis back in the fold for £500m Everton stadium

The concept architect behind the club’s stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock has been given a “guardianship role” after his involvement in the scheme ended somewhat controversially last year.

Along with several other companies, US-based Meis Studio had submitted a bid to the main contractor Laing O’Rourke to be retained as technical architect for the build phase of the £500m project, but was unsuccessful.

At the time, Dan Meis, whose designs were popular among Everton supporters, described the handling of the situation as “one the greatest disappointments” of his career.

“In my 30 years of designing stadiums, I have never had our work taken over by another architect without remaining in a custodian or oversight role,” Meis said.

The club claims Meis’ original role “came to a natural end” when Pattern was appointed as technical architect for the delivery phase of the project.

Meis’ new role will involve reviewing the technical construction specifications and engaging the compliance team ahead of each stage of development to ensure his original design concept remains in place throughout the build.

Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright said: “Dan has been an important part of our stadium journey so far and we are pleased he has accepted this new role.

“In working alongside both our in-house and external teams, Dan will be joining some of the best technical talents in the country throughout the exciting construction phase of the project.”

Plans for the 53,000-capacity stadium cleared the final planning hurdle in March and work began on site in July.