Creativity and inspiring buildings - symbols of the modern BBC, says Greg Dyke
Creative people need inspiring environments, a principle at the heart of the BBC's new property vision said Director-General Greg Dyke today (27 January 2003).
"As one of the nation's great cultural institutions the BBC has a responsibility to apply the same creative rigour and ambition which we apply to our programmes to our buildings. And that's why we are being bold and confident so that we contribute again to the nation's architectural and cultural heritage," he told the British Property Federation Conference in Newport.
Mr Dyke said he believed that in order to fulfil the BBC's ambition of being "the world's most creative organisation" the staff needed "working environments which inspire and excite them... environments which expand their horizons, not limit them."
He claimed there would be "no more Ceacescu Towers" - a reference to the BBC's White City building opened 10 years ago.
The BBC's long term property strategy, one of the UK's most ambitious building and renewal programmes, is being undertaken at no extra cost to the licence fee payer.
Mr Dyke said the BBC needed properties which were accessible to everyone, especially the public.
"They will make a difference to the people that work in them and the communities that live around them," he said.
Radio and television stations across the UK are being refurbished or moved to more accessible city centre sites, such as the Mailbox in Birmingham.
Speaking about the new plans for redevelopment of the Broadcasting House site in central London, Mr Dyke said that while the emphasis on quality and authority was unquestionable, the existing building itself is "patriarchal, even frightening" and that "today the BBC needs buildings which connect with our audiences, not buildings that frighten them".
He added: "The "new" Broadcasting House will represent today's BBC in today's Britain. Like the old Broadcasting House I hope it will be a national landmark, an iconic building, something which represents respect for our heritage and out passionate faith in the future."
My Dyke spoke of the BBC's new Open Centres as an example of places which "reflect the values and ethos of the modern BBC", offering welcoming access to a range of BBC services, local radio, internet and on-line learning, to members of the local community.
Notes to Editors
The speech in full
BBC wins top architecture accolade(10.09.02)
BBC engages top architectural practices to realise architectural vision across UK(25.07.02)
BBC welcomes positive planning decision on Broadcasting House(28.06.02)
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