Mr Sounes was asked by Kate Grange QC, counsel to the inquiry: “Were you aware that there might be
different rules that applied to buildings over 18m?”
He replied: “No, I was aware that they may exist, but I did not refer to [the document] at the time. I can’t
recall if I was aware of that.”
When asked whether he read the government guidelines on building and fire regulations – also known as
approved document B – during the Grenfell project, Mr Sounes said: “I referred to it on occasion but I
certainly didn’t read it from start to finish.
“Because it’s so wide ranging, an architect will find themselves referring to specific sections to try and
understand whether they are meeting their requirements.”
Mr Sounes was also shown a diagram of how fire can spread up the external cladding of a building.
When asked whether he saw anything like this during the Grenfell project, he said “no”.
Earlier on Tuesday, the inquiry heard that Studio E has “no record” of ever signing a contract for the
Grenfell project with the local property management company.
In his written statement to the inquiry, Mr Sounes, said: “From the documents within Studio E’s possession
I do not know whether the Kensington and Chelsea tenant management organisation (KCTMO)
appointment was ever actually signed by Studio E and KCTMO.
“I cannot specifically recall Studio E signing the documents and nor do we have a completed copy on file.”
Giving evidence, the architect added: “I have no recollection of it being signed and we couldn’t locate a
copy, but that’s not to say it wasn’t signed. I cannot remember.
“I guess I thought maybe it was, but I don’t know.”
The evidence comes after Studio E boss Andrzej Kuszell told the hearings that Mr Sounes had no
experience of over cladding residential blocks.
However, he had faith that his firm could complete the Grenfell job.
Mr Kuszell said on Monday: “I believed we had the processes and experience of complex buildings to be
able to undertake this commission. It wasn’t just my belief, it was clearly the belief of all senior members.
“We put the project in the hands of one of our most senior and experienced people. I had no reason to
believe we wouldn’t be able to do it.”
Mr Kuszell also apologised to survivors of the 2017 fire that killed 72 people, and told them: “It really
shouldn’t have happened.
“Hindsight now comes into play – we’ve lived two and a half years since the tragedy and doubtless
absolutely every one of us would wish to turn the clock back.
“It really shouldn’t have happened, and I’m really, really sorry for all of you and everybody else who was
involved in the project.”
The hearings continue.
Press Association