Central Square

We are at the 'meccano stage' of the BBC! so we're going to see the structure of this building take shape pretty rapidly over the next month or so

Meanwhile 1/6 of the Marland House is gone

We are at the 'meccano stage' of the BBC! so we're going to see the structure of this building take shape pretty rapidly over the next month or so

Having worked in the industry, if only it was that simple where we could just pick pieces off a shelf.

As you are probably aware, the procurement, fabrication and coating of the steelwork will have been ongoing for some time, far from prying eyes. When steelwork erection commences, the common perception is that it represents a quick and easy activity.

We are at the 'meccano stage' of the BBC! so we're going to see the structure of this building take shape pretty rapidly over the next month or so

Having worked in the industry, if only it was that simple where we could just pick pieces off a shelf.

As you are probably aware, the procurement, fabrication and coating of the steelwork will have been ongoing for some time, far from prying eyes. When steelwork erection commences, the common perception is that it represents a quick and easy activity.

So you mean it's not like meccano!!

No I appreciate that, but it is when a plan really starts to come together after all that behind the scenes stuff. Happy Days!



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In defence of the changes to the bus station and associated buildings

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/cardiffs-new-bus-station-no-12021259

Some valid points there and whilst the original design I personally still prefer, I think this will end up very good and the central square area will be an excellent gateway to the city for rail and bus travellers.

I'd find it difficult to believe Foster+Partners would design anything other than spectacular. Pity we don't seem to have the undercover walkway to the train station, there always seems to be an obsession with big open spaces, but the reality is that it'll be raining most of the time.

With the development of the Brains Brewery site do we think that they might return to the idea of accessing the platforms at central from above, thereby leaving the current subway under the station as a public access route from north to south?

I'd find it difficult to believe Foster+Partners would design anything other than spectacular. Pity we don't seem to have the undercover walkway to the train station, there always seems to be an obsession with big open spaces, but the reality is that it'll be raining most of the time.

With the development of the Brains Brewery site do we think that they might return to the idea of accessing the platforms at central from above, thereby leaving the current subway under the station as a public access route from north to south?

i've said elsewhere that the removal of the undercover walkway may be to do with Network Rail wanting to develop the station and push the internal concourse northwards into the current public square

I much preferred the original design, but the more i look at the most recent design, the more i really dislike and agree with the 'soviet monolith' tag with the residential part. I think there is a reason why the render doesn't include the Prince of Wales, because it will show up how bland and unambitious this part of the scheme is. The residential part of SD2 is a real success, i dont see why something similar couldnt be achieved here, especially as the view towards the castle from the upper floors would be great. The remarks in the western mail say that the old design was too heavy, i think its the reverse.

I think each part - the residential part and the office part - looks reasonably good on its own. The buildings have a crispness about them. It could go wrong if material quality is not right - a la bad post-war architecture -, but it could go very right if material quality and maintenance is good - a la the best post-war architecture.

My issue is the way the two buildings relate to each other, and the gap in the middle of the building. Unless Marland street is dark and oppressive the much lower building heights here will be very clear from the west side of that street. And from the BBC building, the offices, and the south-facing apartments there'll be a lovely view of a roof-top car park. I think a 2-3 storey office building (housing the Cardiff Media School) should have been built fronting Marland Street, with the car park roofed over, and a residents garden for the apartments on top of it.

I think the new scheme smacks of value engineering and a major paring back of ambition - following the realisation that JR Smart was likely to get the big prize of the HMRC HQ. Perhaps the original scheme was undeliverable once this was clear. But the new scheme isn't good enough.

St davids IS a simple design. As this will be. I don't mind st davids but it has its floors, the render elements will weather badly and are frankly a cheap approach and the ground foood doesn't work everywhere.

If, like the architects are saying, the details are right that is mich more important. They won't be using the crap materials going into many of the buildings around like that rainscreen cladding stuff in student castle and capital quarter...