New Cardiff library scoops top building title

Cardiff’s iconic Central Library has been hailed a building to be proud of at this year’s GGB BDP Building of The Year Award.

BDP is the largest interdisciplinary practice of architects, designers, engineers and urbanists in Europe and the GGB BDP Building of the Year Award recognises the building they believe is the best they have designed and completed in 2009.

16 buildings were selected for consideration, with 5 reaching the final. The judges visited all the buildings and were unanimous in their decision in awarding Cardiff Central Library the top title of Building of the Year.

During the judging process the new library was described as “A Wonderful new public place within Cardiff, whose form, atmosphere, activity and accessibility create a great new city building.“

The library is part of the landmark £675m, St David’s development, which opened on Thursday (October 22). The library was designed by BDP and constructed by contractors Laing O’Rourke thanks to a £13m funding from the St. David’s Partnership.

Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Rodney Berman, said:” A lot of hardwork and planning went into the new Cardiff Central library, so to be recognised as the GGB BDP Building of the year is very gratifying.

“Our aim was to create a library which broke the mould of traditional libraries and I believe we have done that. The library stands out for its architecture, sustainability and cultural qualities and we have received great feedback from industry experts and more importantly library users.”

Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “Everything about the new Cardiff Central Library has the wow factor, and I am delighted it has been recognised at the GGB BDP awards. Everyone involved in the project has worked hard to deliver a library of which the people of Cardiff can be proud. “

BDP Chairman Tony McGuirk said “ The first step of genius was to place the library at the centre of the street, the second step was to create an architecture both externally and internally that creates an irresistible place for people to spend their learning time’