Callaghan Square
Cardiff
Callaghan Square is a civic space close to Cardiff's main railway station. It connects the city centre to a new boulevard which leads to Cardiff Bay.
We were initially appointed to prepare a masterplan for the development of sites around the square and No.1 was the first of the masterplan buildings to be constructed.
The 170,000 sq ft building forms the central component of a crescent on the north side of the new square and its design was intended to set a standard for future development.
The sweeping curve of the main elevation is articulated by a giant order of rectangular reconstituted Portland stone columns. These columns define the open side of a public double storey-height colonnade along the full length of the building. The paving of the colonnade was designed with the artist Lilian Roosenboom.
Thoughtfully composed, balancing the pressure of the marketplace with a concern for making civic architecture for a new business district for the city.Touchstone, Architecture in Wales
An understated but ultimately stylish composition which, by using careful proportions and rhythmic repetition, make this very large development into a homogenous city block. It is a building of real quality, setting a high standard for others to follow within the city centre.Civic Trust
Our Team
- Robert Dawson
- Nicholas Hare
- Peter Kirkness
- Gerard Ryan
- Steven Shorter
- James Taylor
Project Team
- Client: MEPC UK
- Cost Consultant: Howse Cole Dyer
- Structural Engineer: Arup
- Services Engineer: Doy Webster Partnership
- Acoustician: Arup Acoustics
- Lighting Design: BDP Lighting
- Artist: Lilian Rosenboom
- Contractor: Costain
- Photography: Peter Durrant
Awards
- Commendation: Civic Trust Awards
- Commendation: Concrete Society Awards
- Shortlisted: RIBA Awards
