BBC Buildings

New HQ for BBC Scotland opens

The new BBC Scotland headquarters marks the beginning of a new era for the BBC and broadcasting in Scotland. The 34,000sq m digital centre is setting a new standard in terms of state-of-the-art technology, production methods and public access and will play a central role in the regeneration of the wider urban area.

Pacific Quay's world-class technology means BBC Scotland is the first broadcaster to move away from using tapes to a digital file-based system that is fully integrated across all delivery channels – TV, radio and online.

The new centre also features the UK's most advanced broadcast studios and production facilities. The main studio, Studio A, is the biggest TV recording space ever built in Scotland and the second largest TV studio in Britain. It encloses a staggering 790m² (8500ft²) and will have a hi-tech hover pad audience seating system which can be towed in and out of the studio when required. Also capable of hosting 320 people seated, it will be the first High Definition facility of its kind in Europe. Visitor tours will be launched in early 2008 - watch this site for an update.

Lead architect for the new centre was David Chipperfield Architects and Graven Images, the Glasgow-based consultancy, created the interior designs.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, on opening the new centre, said: "I believe this is a great day for the regeneration of Glasgow, a great day for the future of the BBC and it's a great day for Scottish and British broadcasting and communications and our reputation around the world. I believe that this building will become a design classic that reflects the heritage of this country."