New Broadcasting Headquarters

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 27, 18 January 1929, Page 31

New Broadcasting Headquarters

Studio Accommodation for 1000 People ARRANGEMENTS have been coipleted for the transfer of the headquarters of broadcasting for the B.B.C. from Savoy Hill to Portlandplace, Oxford Circus, as soon as a new building is ready. The site, with an area of about 20,000 square feet, is in the form of a peninsula. facing south, @ visivie from Oxford Circus. The westa Ai ern facade will dominate Portlandplace, and the eastern front will face Langham Street. The design of the building will be simple, almost severe, depending for its effect more upon the grouping of masonry than upon profusion of detail. It is estimated that the new building will provide more » than 100,000 square feet of useful floor space. Some office space and some ground-floor shop space will be available on short lease, to be recovered later if necessary. "THE provision of studios is naturally the primary consideration. Of the nine studios, four will be more than double the size. of the largest studio at Savoy Hill, which is 44ft. by 25ft.. In addition to these, there will be a super-studio, three stories high, of about 4000 square feet, which, together with its gallery, will be capable of accommodating an audience of 1000 as well as a large orchestra. AJIl the latest ideas of acoustical treatment are to be embodied in this super-studio. The studios and their suites will be insulated from all external noise. They will be grouped one above the other in a vast central tower of heavy brickwork, ventilated artificially, and protected from street noises by the complete outer layer of offices. Wide cor-

ridors and thick brick walls will insulate the studios from the offices. In order to eliminate sound interference between studios, the central tower will contain no vertical steelwork.. « The estimated cost is between £400,000 and £500,000. It is hoped that the building will be ready for occupation in 1931. The enterprise is being financed by a syndicate on terms favourable to the B.B.C., which retains an option to purchase if and when this appears desirable. The syndicate’s architect is Lieutenant-Colonel G. Val yer.