Drone and Digital Twin Technology Supports Upgrade Work at Cardiff's City Hall
The first phase of the works focuses on replacing the outdated mechanical and electrical infrastructure. This includes the design, manufacture, supply, installation, and commissioning of a new permanent heating solution across the South, West, and East wings of City Hall. Key areas within the scope include the Council Chambers, the Upper Great Hall and the Lower Hall.
In parallel with phase 1 upgrades, associated architectural and builders' works are being undertaken to ensure seamless integration of modern systems within the fabric of the culturally significant building.
The Grade I listed Edwardian landmark was opened by Lord Bute in 1906. Given City Hall's listed status, all work is being carried out under strict heritage oversight, with a strong emphasis on carefully protecting historic internal features such as decorative ceilings, stained glass, sculptures, historic paintings and original finishes. The project team is working closely with conservation officers and heritage specialists to ensure that interventions are sympathetic, reversible where possible, and in keeping with the building's original character and iconic landmark status.
To inform and support the restoration effort, drone technology has been deployed to survey roof structures and external elevations, providing detailed visual assessments while minimising risk to delicate masonry and avoiding intrusive access methods.
Project management team Gleeds used a photographic digital twin for a comprehensive internal survey of the building, capturing accurate spatial data and high-resolution imagery to support detailed analysis and planning.
Mark Bowen, Managing Director of Andrew Scott Ltd, said:
'We're proud to be working closely with Cardiff Council to deliver this important project at Cardiff's iconic City Hall. Our team is dedicated to preserving the building's historic character while carefully integrating the modern infrastructure it needs to serve future generations. It's a privilege to contribute to a project of such cultural significance, and we're making strong progress thanks to the collaborative efforts of everyone involved.'
Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, Cllr Russell Goodway said:
'City Hall is one of Cardiff's most treasured buildings, and these essential upgrades will ensure it continues to serve the city for generations to come. We're proud to be working with partners who understand the importance of preserving its heritage while introducing the modern infrastructure needed to deliver on our One Planet Cardiff climate commitments and future-proof the building.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
2 days ago
- Time Out
The historic Westminster pub that will soon reopen after a massive £950,000 makeover
A central London pub is set to reopen after having almost a million pounds pumped into it. The White Horse and Bower on Horseferry Road has been closed since January 2024, but is set to relaunch next month. The Shepherd Neame pub – which dates back to 1816 and was rebuilt in 1894 – will reopen on September 10, featuring a restored tile facade, new awning, bespoke hand-painted swing sign, herringbone timber floor, rear booths with stained-glass screens and a reclaimed oak bar which has been repositioned in order to make the pub feel more welcoming. The British Guild of Beer Writers also reports that there will also be a timber fireplace and hand-painted, Edwardian-style Lincrusta wall finish. The Pimlico pub's operations manager Ryan Torrie commented: 'The White Horse and Bower is a fantastic pub in an incredible location. Our aim with this project is to preserve and celebrate its unique character while introducing a stylish, new experience. With a vibrant food and drink offer, live events, and beautiful surroundings, we're confident it will become a local favourite once again. We can't wait to open the doors and welcome everyone back.' The pub's new menu will feature Whitstable Bay beer-battered haddock with chips, hot smoked salmon niçoise, and a 5oz grilled sirloin with Parmesan and garlic butter, as well as burgers and brunch served on the weekends. As well as Shepherd Neame's Kentish beers the drinks menu will include cocktails (margaritas, mojitos, espresso martinis and negronis), as well as wine from Kent. White Horse and Bower, 86 Horseferry Rd, SW1P 2EE.
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Powys County Times
Letter: Wind farms would threaten future of Royal Welsh Show
Following another very successful Royal Welsh Show, I wonder if farmers from all over Wales, and those visiting from the other parts of the UK and the rest of the world, realise the immense threat that exists concerning the future of this world-famous show? Do they know that there are plans to surround Builth Wells with no fewer than four gigantic wind farms, all very close to the town and to the Llanelwedd show site? Going from north to south: there will be 31 x up to 730 ft high at Nant Mithil Wind Farm, overlooking the important tourist town of Llandrindod Wells and nine miles north of Builth; 16 x 720 ft high at Bryn Gilwern (again by Bute Energy) 4.5 miles north of Builth; 18 x 650 ft high, at Aberedw, just three miles east of Builth and Llanelwedd show site; and 27 x 660ft high, plus solar panels, plus battery storage units, all by Wind2 Ltd, at Banc y Celyn 4 miles south of Builth. That's 92 absolute monstrosities - the biggest on-land in the world! Ridiculous! So the gigantic wind farms are closing in on Builth Wells from all the surrounding hills, rather reminiscent of the Zulus closing in from all directions on the Welsh soldiers at the Battle of Rorke's Drift in South Africa's Zulu Wars! The trouble is the 'thumping' and 'whooshing' of the gigantic wind turbines will be infinitely louder than the rhythmic drum and shield-beating of the Zulus at Rorke's Drift and unlike the Zulus, Bute Energy will not go away and leave the scene. Builth Wells will be stuck with Bute Energy for at least 25 years. Even if Bute goes bust or they sell out to a secretive offshore company in a tax haven, the wind turbines will remain, possibly rusting and useless, like those at static Hendy Wind Farm above Builth. All this can be seen on the map on the Re-Think Wales website. Why aren't Re-Think issuing regular press releases or even writing letters to your excellent influential journal? The Royal Welsh Show at Llanelwedd could be in very big trouble. Has anyone considered how upsetting the loud noises and inaudible infra-sound (to us) from these revolving monsters will have on the fine pedigree animals of one of the premier agricultural shows of Europe? Could they suffer great stress? What is the opinion of the RSPCA , I wonder? Has anyone bothered to ask?
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Powys County Times
Letter: Object to 200m high wind turbines plan for Powys
The Scottish company, Bute Energy has plans for hundreds of 200m high wind turbines in Mid Wales. The latest plan of theirs is for 18 x 200m wind turbines on common grazing land overlooking Builth Wells. On a windy day like we have just experienced, Wales produces more energy from wind turbines than it uses. There are active plans to increase the number of offshore wind farms and some more on shore farms are in construction phase. Welshpool man who can't keep away from ex-girlfriend sent to prison Detached house near Llanfyllin with panoramic views on the market for £480k Plans to demolish old historic Powys bakery halted for third time This means that Wales has surplus capacity to generate electricity from wind. What Wales needs is to stop filling the countryside with wind farms and building other renewable energy power plants such as using water or nuclear energy so that we have a more reliable renewable energy generation in Wales. The road to Hundred House would see double the amount of HGV traffic for the construction phase which would last over a year. This is a serious safety concern for those who walk alongside the road and also those who cross the road to get to the pub or village hall. The blades being delivered would result in the effective closure of the road east from Hundred House. How can ambulances get to Hereford on time to save lives? Local renewable energy group, Re-Think Wales are running three drop-in events to allow local residents to discover more about the plans and also how they can send in their comments and objections to Bute during the consultation phase. These are on: Friday, August 8 at Hundred House Hall 5-7pm; Saturday, August 9 at Builth TIC at Groe Car Park 10-1pm; Tuesday, August 12 at Aberedw Church Hall 4-6pm.
