Historic capital building to undergo major refurb
THE historic Bute Building in the centre of Cardiff is to undergo a major refurbishment. Architectural firm BDP has been appointed for the project on the building, which partly houses Cardiff University’s Welsh School of Architecture.
It comes as the building’s other tenant, the Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Culture Studies, is about to move to its new home at the 2 Central Square office building which forms part of the wider Central Square scheme immediately north of Cardiff Central Railway Station.
The project was procured by Cardiff University from a shortlist of local architecture practices and marks an important milestone for BDP’s presence in south Wales.
The Welsh School of Architecture will be celebrating its centenary in 2020 and the refurbishment of the Bute Building will help support its future growth.
Some 55,000 sq ft of the building’s interior, which extends to 78,000 sq ft, is being refurbished.
Following the move by the school of journalism, the Welsh School of Architecture will occupy the majority of the building
BDP recently announced its commitment to invest in a long-term future in south Wales, building on recent projects such as the Grange University Hospital, Monmouth School and University of Wales Trinity St David’s new building for S4C Yr Egin in Carmarthen.
Its latest instruction follows the appointment of Nick Durham to lead development of BDP’s practice in the region.
A graduate of the Welsh School of Architecture and recent design unit leader on the masters of architecture degree course, Mr Durham said: “This is a fantastic win for BDP in south Wales and we are excited to begin our journey with the Welsh School of Architecture and Cardiff University.
“The opportunity to design a school of architecture doesn’t come along very often and to be able to do this in a building and with a client that we know so well makes this project even more special.
“BDP is committed to supporting architectural education in the UK, having recently joined a group of leading practices and universities to support a range of new architectural apprenticeships, improving diversity in architecture and accessibility to the profession.
“We hope the project we are about to undertake with the Welsh School of Architecture will inspire a new generation of architects and help strengthen the links between academia and practice.”
The project will be delivered in collaboration with Capita (project management), Gleeds (cost management), Aecom (structural and civil engineering) and CPWP (environmental engineering).