Find a project:

By keyword

By region

By area of expertise

By sector

BBC Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff

Image 1 of 4

Image: Chris Stock

Image 2 of 4

Image 3 of 4

Image 4 of 4

The facts

Client:   Sir Robert McAlpine
Location:   Cardiff (South East Wales)
Services:   Architecture
Sector:   Arts & Culture
Contract Type:   Design & Build
Project Value:   £13m
Start/Completion:   April 2007 – Sept 2008

The project

Designed by our architecture division, Capita Architecture, BBC Hoddinott Hall is a relatively new addition to the Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) site in Cardiff Bay.

Named after the late Welsh composer - Alun Hoddinott - the venue provides the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with a bespoke rehearsal and performance space that can accommodate an orchestra of 110, a chorus of 130 and an audience of 350.

The project began when Capita Architecture (who also designed the WMC) was approached with regards to the provision of a new home for the Orchestra which had outgrown its residence at BBC Wales Broadcasting House in North Cardiff after 40 years.

The main requirement of the brief prepared by David Murray, Director of the Orchestra, was to provide a facility that was: “Primarily for orchestral and chorus-use, of an acoustic standard suitable for digital recording to the highest broadcasting / commercial CD standards with the built-in capability of being used as a performance area with medium-sized audience.”

Numerous design options were explored before the final selection - a design that enabled public access into the building via the existing WMC box office foyer. The design also included room for a separate studio – named after Welsh composer Grace Williams – which would not only provide auxiliary rehearsal space for the Orchestra but would provide a base for its education and community outreach work.

The completed BBC Hoddinott Hall comprises an array of features including a control/recording room and editing room acoustically isolated from the main hall and from each other; green rooms for conductor & artists; four music practice rooms; an orchestral band room; the Grace Williams Studio; a music library; an instrument store; and office space for up to 30 people.

In February 2009, BBC Hoddinott Hall officially opened with a gala festival. It was greeted with praise by orchestra and audience alike for the appearance of the hall and also its acoustics - testimony to the coordinated efforts of BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the design team and the contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine.