Category: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Date: 06.09.2004
Printable version
Step into the 21st century with the
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ opens its newest building
to the public as part of London Open House Weekend, Saturday 18 September
2004
The Media Centre, part of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's new Media Village in White
City, will offer visitors a glimpse of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ of the 21st century when
it throws open its doors for a day of free tours this September.
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There will be tours taking visitors behind the scenes
of the new building for the very first time on Saturday 18 September
as part of the London Open House Weekend, a city-wide event celebrating
the capital's diverse architecture.
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Officially opened by Jonathan Ross in May this year,
the Media Centre was designed by distinguished architects Allies and
Morrison, and is part of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's ambitious new project to create cutting-edge
and inspirational buildings and spaces that are accessible and welcoming
to the public.
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The tours will operate every 30 minutes from 10.00am
to 5.00pm (last tour leaves: 4.30pm) on a first come, first served basis.
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They will give visitors the chance to experience first-hand
the architects' creative vision, explore the site's exciting contemporary
art and discover how the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Media Village is rejuvenating the local
area.
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Among the building's striking public artworks are Japanese
artist Yuko Shiraishi's mural and colour schemes, and collaboration
between Poet Laureate Andrew Motion and graphic designer John Morgan.
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As part of a wider project, Voices of White City, the
pair have created a poetic work on broadcasting that is permanently
inlaid in the surface of the cobbled street in front of the Media Centre.
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Just down the road, the world famous broadcasting hub
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television Centre will also be offering free tours guided
by the award-winning Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Tours team on Saturday 18 September.
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Tours will be running every 10 minutes from 10.00am
to 5.00pm (last tour leaves: 5.00pm and tours lasting 50 minutes).
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Visitors to the centre, designed by renowned architect
Graham Dawbarn in the Sixties, will get a chance to see John Piper's
distinctive mural and TB Huxley-Jones' celebrated sculpture of Helios,
as well as getting a sneak peek behind the scenes at the famous studios
where programmes such as Blue Peter and Top Of The Pops are made.
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And, as Doctor Who prepares to return to our screens
soon, fans will be able to get up close to the Doctor's own compact
home, the Tardis, a true architectural marvel!
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Bush House, in The Strand, completes the
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Open House Weekend hat-trick with 30-minute tours every 10 or
15 minutes on Saturday 18 September (tours from 10.00am to 4.30pm, last
tour at 4.00pm).
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The stunning home of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service was built
in the Twenties by American businessman Irving T Bush as a trade centre.
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Leading the way in construction and design, it was one
of the first buildings in London to feature central courtyards to bring
light to its back offices.
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Its galleried show fronts, marble-clad public areas
and sweeping staircases maintain their splendour today.
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Notes to Editors
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Tours at all three buildings will be on a first come,
first served basis and security checks will take place prior to each
tour. All buildings have disabled access.
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bbc.co.uk/tours features information about the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's
ongoing programme of tours, as well as details of its Open Centres and
buses.
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A range of virtual tours also allow users a sneak peek
behind the scenes from the comfort of their own homes.
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Tours of Kingswood Warren
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Kingswood Warren, the Surrey estate that houses the
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's world-renowned Research & Development Department, will open
its doors to members of the public on 11 and 12 September as part of
the Civic Trust's national weekend of Heritage Open Days.
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Visitors will be able to look round the impressive reception
rooms and the beautiful grounds as well as exhibitions on the achievements
of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ R&D and on the history of the Kingswood Warren estate.
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They will also be able to experience some of the technical
broadcasting wizardry of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ making the impossible appear to happen
before their eyes.
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The grounds of Kingswood Warren and the ground floor
reception rooms of the old estate will be open between 10.00am and 4.00pm
on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September.
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Kingswood Warren can be found off the southbound carriageway
of the A217, just south of the Tadworth roundabout. Parking is available
in the grounds.
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Facts about the Media Village
site
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New 17-acre Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Media Village site on Wood Lane, London W12, providing
office space for approximately 6,000 people.
the Broadcast Centre (40,491 square metres), which houses the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's
state-of-the-art television playout business
the Media Centre (39,014 square metres), which provides office accommodation
for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ staff
the Energy Centre (7,719 square metres), which provides power, heating,
cooling and other services to the entire site
two perimeter buildings which are available to be sub-let to other media
companies
Facts about the building of the Media Village
Building work commenced: 10 September 2001
Official opening date: 12 May 2004
Size of site: 17 acres
Size of Broadcast Centre building: 40,491 square
metres
Size of Media Centre building: 39,014 square
metres
Size of Energy Centre building: 7,719 square
metres
Number of men on site at peak: 2,500 of 45 different
nationalities
Amount of earth excavated: 60,000 cubic metres
Number of piled foundations: 1,200
Amount of electrical cable: 300 miles
Number of light fittings: 14,000
Amount of data cable: 1,800 miles
Amount of pipe work: 100 miles
Amount of concrete used: 60,000 cubic metres
Facts about Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television Centre Tours
Website: bbc.co.uk/tours
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Winner of London Tourist Board's Best Sightseeing Tour
in London 2002
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Winner of Best Guided Tour Experience 2003 Β– Group
Travel Organiser Awards
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