Austin-Smith:Lord are delighted to be working with Cardiff University on the feasibility study for the expansion of the School of Architecture at the Bute Building. With the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies relocating to a new facility in the city centre, this is a unique opportunity to consolidate the Welsh School of Architecture in a single location and to enhance its already highly regarded reputation within the city and wider architectural academe.

The Bute Building is a Grade II listed building designed by the esteemed welsh architectural practice of Percy Thomas and Ivor Jones, and completed in 1916. It is a key building within the Cathays Park Conservation Area, designed in the classical style, and in keeping with many of the other Edwardian Buildings within Cardiff Civic Centre. The building is formed as a quadrangle, with elegantly restrained elevations, enriched on the east facade with a roman Doric colonnade and Neo-Grecian detailing.

Key objectives for the study are to provide a dedicated zone for the craft and digital fabrication facilities; a new centre for interdisciplinary creative enquiry; a Living Lab to promote innovative forms of collaboration and engagement; and a diversification of the educational offer. The programme is fast-paced and offers a potential alignment with the 100 year centenary of the Welsh School in 2020.

The Austin-Smith:Lord team working on this project are all alumni of the Welsh School and especially proud to be involved with the redevelopment of the building where their architectural careers began.