The Senedd
Diary Dates of AOUG in Wales (10)
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The Senedd – transparency in architecture and in action.
On Wednesday 7th Sept 2011 a group of AOUG members visited the waterfront Cardiff Bay to tour the National Assembly for Wales. (The Welsh Assembly known as The Senedd).
Situated in a prime waterfront position in Cardiff Bay, the Senedd, adjacent to the Grade 1 listed Pierhead Building, and the Wales Millenium Centre, looks out through a wall of glass, to the South West over a spectacular panorama of sky and sea. The public open space outside the building has been created to link naturally with its surroundings. Hard landscaping extends from the plinth to the adjoining building that, together with a canopy of trees, create new and accessible open spaces linking the waterfront and the public buildings around it.
The approach is via a sequence of tiered steps and ramps rising from the water’s edge. Visitors are welcomed by staff as they enter a security controlled area but essential security screening equipment and walk-through metal detectors prevent any possible threats. Knives and scissors are banned and so one member, having a tiny pair of scissors on her keyring, had to leave her keys behind. Even a bunch of flowers, purchased to give to a friend was passed along the conveyer belt through the security scanner!
Externally a large metal structure supports the glass front but inside wood is the dominant feature and a large mushroom-like construction rises dramatically through the centre. Two of the three levels of the Senedd are open to the public, who enter at the middle, (Neuadd) level. This is the area of the information desk and this is where we met our tour guide from the Welsh Assembly, Mair, who took us round and gave us an insight into the workings of the Assembly government, including the distribution of the members and their seating locations, while explaining how the principles of an open democracy work by both design and government. Her talk was both informative and interesting.
At the heart of the design is the wish to produce a building symbolising an open democracy, as well as making a significant contribution to sustainable development. The Senedd sits on a slate plinth, with steps rising from the waterfront; the lower level contains the private spaces of the building, while the public level is completely transparent. The ground floor contains committee rooms and offices, lit by courtyards formed by deep slots into the slate plinth. The courtyards also allow the public to see into the offices from the public level above.
The lightweight roof undulates and forms a funnel over the Siambr, or debating chamber, and this funnel also acts as a light tube for the Siambr, reflecting natural light off a conical mirror into the chamber. The mirror can be adjusted to provide varying light levels to suit the requirements for broadcasting. There are also lights incorporated, recessed into a series of concentric aluminium rings inside the funnel. We sat awhile in the public area with only glass screens between us and the debating chamber below. Two thirds of the area was naturally visible and the area beneath us could also be viewed by way of screens placed opposite. Everything within could be both seen and heard from the gallery.
The funnel also ventilates the Siambr by means of a wind cowl, which rotates to face away from the wind direction, thus producing negative pressure on the leeward side that draws out the warm air. This natural ventilation is just one feature that reduces energy consumption. Another system installed is the earth heat exchanger system which relies on the constant temperature of the earth. Underground water pipes transfer heat under the floor. In winter , warmth is drawn from the earth natural heat from deep underground whilst in the summer, the flow takes heat from the building to any cooler ground. There is also a wood biomass heating system, using carbon neutral wood chips or wood pellets as the fuel source.
Later touring the smaller debating rooms, we saw the glass walls everywhere allowing full sight of meetings and all the major rooms had viewing areas for the public to also hear the debates. Thus the Senedd`s architecture allows unrestricted lines of sight through the building and out to the surrounding area whilst also allowing the public full access to see, and hear, their representatives debating the future for Wales, aiming for true transparency in all aspects.
Mary J. Lewis – Nation 10
AOUG Member elected Under Warden of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen
Following his election as Under Warden at the Court Meeting in January, Lt Col (retd) Bill Clark was installed in office at the Woolmen’s annual church service at St Michael’s Cornhill in April.
The Worshipful Company of Woolmen is one of the oldest of the City of London’s 108 Livery Companies, tracing its origins back to the 12th century. The Livery Companies developed out of the trade and craft associations that have flourished all over Europe for many centuries, but the City of London companies, now collectively known as the Livery, are unique in their survival, number and diversity. The livery companies still flourish today as living institutions. Their survival has been achieved by doing what they have always done: fostering their trade in a wide context, serving the community, and embracing modern skills and professions. The early companies were the medieval equivalent of trading standards departments, checking quality of goods and weights and measures. They also controlled imports, set wages and working conditions and trained apprentices. Today, the Worshipful Company of Woolmen supports the wool industry in many ways: scholarships and bursaries at universities and colleges for students on vetinerary research, textiles and design courses; and medals for the major national sheep shearing championships.
Bill’s interest in the Livery has taken him to many interesting places. Most recently he was invited by the Campaign for Wool to the launch of the Wool Modern Exhibition in La Galleria, Pall Mall. The Campaign for Wool also invited their Patron, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall to the opening night on 7th September 2011. Guests were struck by a splendid display of colourful, innovative and often avant garde designs for fashion wear, carpets and other wool uses. Notable designers of the calibre of Vivienne Westwood were in the throng, and there were designs on display by fashion houses such as hers as well as Alexander McQueen, Yves St Laurent and John Galliano. There was an interesting mix of people as the fashion world met the wool trade.
The Campaign for Wool is supported by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen. The Wool Modern exhibition ran from 7th to 29th September 2011. Bill Clark is the Executive Representative for Wales, Nation 10 for the AOUG and also a non executive director of the British Institute of Facilities Management and chairs their governance committee.
Executive Representative - Bill Clark