BBC sites primed for design input

The BBC is gearing up for a series of major property developments at White City – one of its flagship sites – as its much heralded multi-million pound investment in design begins to roll out across its nationwide portfolio of properties.

The first of two building schemes at White City in west London, the Central Office Building, is scheduled for completion in October. It will feature interiors designed by DEGW and a reception area by Imagination, concepts for which are set to be unveiled next month, according to Imagination creative director Adrian Caddy.

Architect Allies & Morrison is creating outdoor spaces, including public and communal space, roof terraces, furniture and an atrium.

The centre will house around 2000 staff, including finance, marketing, new media and HR departments, says BBC head of interiors John Dee.

Other BBC offices across the UK, including Birmingham, Norwich and Glasgow, are also being upgraded. MacCormac Jamieson Prichard is ‘on site’ at London’s Portland Place, with work set for completion in around two years.

But work at Television Centre in Shepherd’s Bush will not start this year and design appointments have yet to be made, says Dee.

The projects follow the corporation’s announcement of a planned £2.8bn investment in its 520-strong property estate last summer (DW 1 August 2002).