foreign office architects has been appointed as architects for the bbc's new music centre at white city, london, it was announced on monday 17 november 2003.
foreign office architects was chosen after a competition between four architectural practices.
the new music centre - to be called the music box - is planned to open in 2006 and will become home to the bbc symphony orchestra, the bbc symphony chorus, the bbc concert orchestra and the bbc singers, bringing them together in one place for the first time.
"this has been a very close run decision with all four designs being
truly inspirational but foreign office architects' vision for the music
box was the most exciting and innovative interpretation of what the bbc wanted," said john smith, bbc director of finance, property and business affairs.
"their design majors on openness with emphasis on public space.
"this will ensure that the music box not only becomes a centre of
excellence for music making at the bbc but will also be an integral part of our commitment to involve the local community."
the music box will be a focal point for contact with the local community, who will be able to attend recordings and performances and participate in music projects as part of an outreach programme.
the music box is part of the new media village, the bbc's redevelopment of white city, and is a key part in the bbc's policy to open its doors to the local community in west london.
the white city development will also foster local regeneration in the
area.
the music box is part of a wider plan to move all the bbc's performing groups into new or renovated buildings in the next four years.
foreign office architects (foa) is recognised as one of the uk's leading design practices and brings an innovative approach to the integration of landscape and buildings.
while their work is highly sculptural and evocative, their designs
emerge from a rigorous analysis of the brief and functional programme. |
