World renowned architect chosen to design Maze peace centre

The plans for the centre have been widely criticised, with opponents claiming it will be a shrine to terrorism. However, Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson insists the centre will be in a stand alone building and will not, as some rumours have suggested, be located inside the prison hospital.

“I welcome the fact that a world renowned architect has been appointed to design the new peace centre on the Maze site,” said Mr Donaldson.

“I have spoken to the delivery unit at the Maze and have emphasised the need for the new peace centre to be purpose built and a separate institution, which will be about ensuring we continue to move in the direction of creating a peaceful society in Northern Ireland.”

He continued: “I have also made it clear there must be nothing about the peace centre which seeks to glorify terrorism or the violence and conflict of the past.

“It is also clear the new peace centre will be a free standing building and will not be physically linked to the retained buildings at the site, which are remain a matter of controversy.”

Mr Donaldson concluded: “I hope to meet with the architect when he visits the area and hear about his plans for the new building, which will be of worldwide significance in terms of promoting peace in other parts of the globe.”

Daniel Libeskind came to international prominence when he designed the Jewish Museum in Berlin - a twisted zig zag building described by some critics as iconic.

In 2003 he won a competition to oversee the Master Plan for the buildings and memorials to be erected on New York’s Ground Zero - his Memory Foundations plan sought to achieve a balance between honouring those who died in the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001 and symbolising new hope for the city.

In 2011 he agreed to help select designers to work on the redevelopment of the former Andersonstown police station in west Belfast and in 2009 he received an honorary degree from the University of Ulster, when he expressed his admiration for Belfast’s transformation, calling the city an incredible place.

It is understood Mr Libeskind will visit the Maze site in the coming months to further discuss the plans for the site.

Despite assurances that the centre will not be a shrine to terrorism, many are still opposed to the development, including Willie Frazer from FAIR, who has said he will be holding a protest at the Maze on September 13 to voice his opposition to the plans for a peace centre at the site.