ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ engages top architectural practices to realise architectural
vision across UK
The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ has placed architecture high on its agenda for the next
decade as it announces a range of major new building schemes around
the country.
Many of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s current premises have suffered under-investment,
and are outdated and unwelcoming to the public.
The
new strategy recognises that flexible, economical, environmentally
efficient and comfortable buildings are essential to the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s success
in the new digital world.
John
Smith, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s Director of Finance, Property and Business Affairs,
said: "The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ has decided to put property right at the heart
of its strategy by securing buildings which attract talent, inspire
those who work here and are open to the public.
"It
is time we embraced top quality architecture and we should be encouraging
licence payers and audiences to come and see what we do as often
as possible."
With
the aim of inspiring audiences, neighbours and visitors from around
the world, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ has invited leading international architectural
practices to compete for the design or redevelopment of its key
London and regional broadcasting centres.
Leading
British practices have won the first four important schemes.
 The
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s flagship headquarters in central London, Broadcasting House,
is set by 2008 to become the largest live broadcast centre in the
world, home to all ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Television and Radio News, Network Radio
services and the World Service (which will vacate Bush House).
In
2000, MacCormac Jamieson Prichard won the competition to create
a state-of-the-art new broadcasting centre behind the Grade II*
Listed façade of the historic original building.
MacCormac's
inspirational designs include the largest broadcast newsroom in
the world, plus greatly increased accessibility for the public who
will have the chance to see broadcasting in action.
Work
is expected to begin in Autumn 2002 for phased completion between
2004 and 2008.
In
Glasgow, Pacific Quay has been chosen as the site for the
new home of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Scotland.David
Chipperfield Architects, appointed in May 2001, will create an exciting
new building on the south bank of the River Clyde that incorporates
studios, offices and large public areas.
 The
Mailbox development in central Birmingham will replace Pebble
Mill.In
February 2001, Building Design Partnership (BDP) was selected to
design a scheme to relocate the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ into the centre of the shopping
district of England's second city.
The
location will allow the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s cameras to bring into view daily life
along Gas Street, the lively canal side area of Birmingham.
Large
numbers of people will be invited to enjoy its grand public spaces.
The Mailbox will be operational by Autumn 2003.
 The
17-acre development at White City in west London aims to
integrate the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ far more into the local community, with greatly
increased public access.For
this second major London scheme, Allies and Morrison has designed
a series of new buildings including a new broadcast centre, a music
building and offices.
Work
at White City began in Autumn 2001, and the first major building
- the Broadcast Centre - will be completed by Autumn 2003.
Further
schemes, including improvements to Television Centre in London,
and other projects around the country, will be announced in the
future.
Last
year the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ entered a property partnership with Land Securities
Trillium which enables the Corporation to achieve its property vision
at no additional cash cost to the licence fee payer.
This
is in line with the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s strategy to direct more money into programme-making.
Notes
to Editors
All images in this press release are artists' impressions
Further
information is available below in . You may require Adobe Acrobat Software to read PDF files
which can be obtained free .
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
architecture press pack (43
KB)
|
