Grenfell Tower refurbishment architect Studio E has told the inquiry into the fire that work to clad the block in rainscreen was not the most challenging part of the project.

Bruce Sounes, an associate at the firm who was project lead for Grenfell in the design phase, rejected the suggestion that overcladding the 70s tower was “by far the most complicated part of the project in terms of design, specification and regulatory compliance”.

The first phase of the inquiry found the use of aluminium composite material on Grenfell Tower as part of its refurbishment was the principal reason fire engulfed the block so quickly on the June night in 2017 when 72 lives were lost.

…