Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre (known informally as "the Tube") was a piece of modern architecture designed by the architect Wil Alsop for Cardiff Bay, Wales, in 1990. It was finally dismantled in 2010. A panel of architectural experts has said the building "single-handedly put Cardiff on the architectural map".[3]
The new building was in the shape of a long flattened tube, glazed at each end. Alsop liked to compare its shape to a disposable cigarette lighter.[4] It was constructed using a series of oval steel ribs, clad with marine plywood and covered with external skin of PVC sheeting.[4][6] Ripple-like slots were cut into the plywood, allowing dappled daylight into the interior.[1] It was shortlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Building of the Year award (forerunner of the Stirling Prize).[4]
The visitor centre was built to house an exhibition about the new Cardiff Bay development.[4] In 1993 the building needed to be moved from its location east of the Pierhead Building. Rather than permanently dismantle it, the structure was put on the back of a low-loader truck and moved to another part of the Bay.[4] It continued to house interactive exhibitions and a scale model of Cardiff.[7]
Because of its distinctive shape, the visitor centre became known locally as 'The Tube'.[5][7] In 2009 it was listed ninth in the Top Ten free attractions in Wales.[8]
Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre was listed by a panel of experts as one of the Top 50 Buildings of the 1990s, saying the building had "single-handedly put Cardiff on the architectural map".[3]
Later eventsedit
The Tube during demolition in September 2011
In 2006 the building's operators, Cardiff Initiative, ceased trading and The Tube closed for several weeks, reopening under the management of Cardiff Council.[7]
The Tube was finally dismantled (and put into storage) in Autumn 2010 to make way for a new link road.[5] "I'm surprised it's lasted this long," said original project architect John Lyall.[5]
^ abcdJohn Newman, "The Buildings of Wales: Glamorgan", University of Wales Press (1995), p. 267, ISBN0-14-071056-6
^ abcIona Spens (Ed.), "Architectural Monographs No. 33: William Alsop and Jan Stormer", Academy Editions (1993), Biographies, Selected Projects and Awards p. 144, ISBN1-85490-263-6
^ abFiona Sturges, The 50 Best; THE BEST BUILDINGS; OF THE NINETIES, The Independent, 3 October 1998. Online version retrieved 18 March 2012.
^ abcdefgKenneth Powell, "Will Alsop book 1", Lawrence King Publishing (2001), pp. 177–179, ISBN1-85669-238-8
^ abcdeVisitor Centre to be dismantled, Building Design, Issue 1933, 17 September 2010, p. 2
^Cardiff Bay Visitors Centre, Architen Landrell. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
^ abcPhillip Nifield, Visitor centre back in business, South Wales Echo, 25 February 2006. Online version retrieved 18 March 2012.
^Martin Shipton, Cardiff promotion needs a rethink, South Wales Echo, 18 December 2009. Online version retrieved 18 March 2012.
External linksedit
Media related to Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre at Wikimedia Commons
November 23, 2023
cardiff, visitor, centre, 1991, 2010, current, cardiff, visitor, centre, wales, millennium, centre, cardiff, visitor, centre, known, informally, tube, piece, modern, architecture, designed, architect, alsop, cardiff, wales, 1990, finally, dismantled, 2010, pan. For the current Cardiff Bay visitor centre see Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre known informally as the Tube was a piece of modern architecture designed by the architect Wil Alsop for Cardiff Bay Wales in 1990 It was finally dismantled in 2010 A panel of architectural experts has said the building single handedly put Cardiff on the architectural map 3 Cardiff Bay Visitor CentreThe Tube in 2008Alternative namesThe TubeGeneral informationStatusDismantledLocationCardiff BayTown or cityCardiffCountryWalesCompleted1991Demolished2010ClientCBDCDesign and constructionArchitecture firmAlsop Lyall amp Stormer 1 Awards and prizesRIBA Regional Award 1991 RIBA National Award 1992 2 Contents 1 Design and construction 2 Later events 3 Awards 4 References 5 External linksDesign and construction editArchitect Wil Alsop was already involved in the development of the Cardiff Bay Barrage when asked by the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation CBDC to design a visitors centre The building was completed during the Summer of 1990 4 located close to the Victorian Pierhead Building 1 It cost somewhere between 350 000 4 and 500 000 5 and was intended to last only five years 1 5 The new building was in the shape of a long flattened tube glazed at each end Alsop liked to compare its shape to a disposable cigarette lighter 4 It was constructed using a series of oval steel ribs clad with marine plywood and covered with external skin of PVC sheeting 4 6 Ripple like slots were cut into the plywood allowing dappled daylight into the interior 1 It was shortlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects RIBA Building of the Year award forerunner of the Stirling Prize 4 The visitor centre was built to house an exhibition about the new Cardiff Bay development 4 In 1993 the building needed to be moved from its location east of the Pierhead Building Rather than permanently dismantle it the structure was put on the back of a low loader truck and moved to another part of the Bay 4 It continued to house interactive exhibitions and a scale model of Cardiff 7 Because of its distinctive shape the visitor centre became known locally as The Tube 5 7 In 2009 it was listed ninth in the Top Ten free attractions in Wales 8 Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre was listed by a panel of experts as one of the Top 50 Buildings of the 1990s saying the building had single handedly put Cardiff on the architectural map 3 Later events edit nbsp The Tube during demolition in September 2011In 2006 the building s operators Cardiff Initiative ceased trading and The Tube closed for several weeks reopening under the management of Cardiff Council 7 The Tube was finally dismantled and put into storage in Autumn 2010 to make way for a new link road 5 I m surprised it s lasted this long said original project architect John Lyall 5 Awards edit1991 Royal Institute of British Architects RIBA Regional Award for Architecture 2 1992 RIBA National Award for Architecture 2 References edit a b c d John Newman The Buildings of Wales Glamorgan University of Wales Press 1995 p 267 ISBN 0 14 071056 6 a b c Iona Spens Ed Architectural Monographs No 33 William Alsop and Jan Stormer Academy Editions 1993 Biographies Selected Projects and Awards p 144 ISBN 1 85490 263 6 a b Fiona Sturges The 50 Best THE BEST BUILDINGS OF THE NINETIES The Independent 3 October 1998 Online version retrieved 18 March 2012 a b c d e f g Kenneth Powell Will Alsop book 1 Lawrence King Publishing 2001 pp 177 179 ISBN 1 85669 238 8 a b c d e Visitor Centre to be dismantled Building Design Issue 1933 17 September 2010 p 2 Cardiff Bay Visitors Centre Architen Landrell Retrieved 18 March 2012 a b c Phillip Nifield Visitor centre back in business South Wales Echo 25 February 2006 Online version retrieved 18 March 2012 Martin Shipton Cardiff promotion needs a rethink South Wales Echo 18 December 2009 Online version retrieved 18 March 2012 External links edit nbsp Media related to Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre 1991 2010 amp oldid 1152804440, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
