The Challenge:
Creating an iconic building that would be an entrepreneurial and creative hub for anchor tenant S4C , an incubator for new companies and a breeding ground for a new generation of creative and technical people.
While achieving an iconic design, there was also a requirement to find added value in the development of the design including rationalising the layout and façade arrangement to achieve an overall reduction in the building's footprint and gross internal floor area. This needed to be achieved while maintaining the net lettable area of the building. Further exercises that had the effect of lowering the ground floor height by up to half a metre was also achieved during pre construction.
The building also needed to be a fully integrated faculty within the University that connected well with the buildings immediately adjacent and offering easy access to the community via a café, performance spaces and auditorium.
The Solution:
The design philosophy is based on the close relationship between the University, prospective tenants of the Centre and the wider community. This is reflected in the design of the building: a simple triangular form that grows from Carmarthenshire’s soil. Inside its three storeys are focused around a public foyer and atrium. It is linked to the main campus by a large public square, for the staging of a variety of outdoor activities. Set in a beautiful rural location.
Yr Egin also provides the University with a multidisciplinary entrepreneurial and creative hub, where people can collaborate and spark ideas off each other. Co-locating with broadcaster S4C allows companies to establishing opportunities, exchange information innovate and create jobs. There are also a café, performance spaces and auditorium available to all.
The Impact:
The economic impact of Canolfan S4C Yr Egin will be significant, contributing more than £11m to the local economy each year. S4C YrEgin will attract a high value sector, with opportunities for specialist jobs and opportunities in the Swansea Bay City Region.
The architectural impact is strong, appropriate and works subtly on a number of different levels. Rather than imposing a geometric shape onto the site, the architects have used the idea to create a building that sits comfortably in the site, addressing the different surrounding conditions appropriately. The ambition to create an impressive but modest building responds well to S4C’s brief and philosophy. The ground floor will contain broadcasting and performance spaces, while a range of offices for S4C and other partners will be provided on the upper two floors.
" The centre will be the destination of choice with new enterprise hubs and high skill accelerator schemes to grow new businesses linked to the university’s portfolio. It will develop the skills of existing businesses and attract new investment into the region "Gwilym Dyfri Jones Associate Pro Vice Chancellor Trinity St David Carmarthen
View more projects
Every project we deliver is an opportunity for us to bring our unique thinking to solve problems, innovate and collaborate with our clients and beyond.
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The addition of high-class sport and leisure facilities for one of the UK’s most distinguished private schools has created flexible, multi-purpose spaces wrapped around the existing centre. Alongside a new sports hall, activity studios, squash courts and a gym, are additional changing rooms, a MUGA and new car park.
3 Sovereign Square
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Bringing an iconic and sustainable development to the Carmarthen campus of the University of Wales, providing 40,000 sq. ft. of accommodation for for Welsh Media company S4C and the University's new media faculty and offices, and achieving a BREEAM Excellent certificate for sustainability.
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58 Victoria Embankment
Located on the River Thames Embankment, this project involved the demolition of the existing building behind a retained façade and the construction of a new steel framed Cat A office with a concrete basement. Inside the building, being the main feature is the central atrium and 3 scenic glass lifts.
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Ericsson - Radio Access Network Framework
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