IT
To me that actually looks like the marks from the 1994-97 sign!
True, I can see both
With it lit up, you can really see the shading where the BBC blocks used to be
To me that actually looks like the marks from the 1994-97 sign!
True, I can see both
DE
I actually don’t know but I believe they’re known as the Atomium Dots and are part of the listing of the facade so probably have to stay white. I wondered whether they were meant to represent the dots of light created by cathode rays in tv screen tubes, but then I’ve a memory that black and white screens didn’t have shadow masks which created the dots required to light the red/green/blue phosphors to make a colour picture. Unless TV Centre was always looking ahead to colour? It did divide it’s dressing areas into Red, Green and Blue ‘assembly’ areas after all...
Also what are those dots supposed to represent on the facade or were they just a random element to look good? It would be interesting if they could put the color changing LED lights in those to match the uplighting below.
I actually don’t know but I believe they’re known as the Atomium Dots and are part of the listing of the facade so probably have to stay white. I wondered whether they were meant to represent the dots of light created by cathode rays in tv screen tubes, but then I’ve a memory that black and white screens didn’t have shadow masks which created the dots required to light the red/green/blue phosphors to make a colour picture. Unless TV Centre was always looking ahead to colour? It did divide it’s dressing areas into Red, Green and Blue ‘assembly’ areas after all...
MW
With it lit up, you can really see the shading where the BBC blocks used to be
I wonder how long they power washed the bricks?
Living 2 stops away and regularly going to Westfield, I did actually see some men pressurewashing it about 4 months ago, they clearly haven't been too successful as you can see the outline of the 1994 BBC blocks and the lozenges beneath, and the 1997 blocks...
It doesn't look as ruined as I first expected it to be, still looks like TVC (just bits of it taken down and replaced) - the Spur/Stage VI is interesting as Worldwide have moved in, and it looks like any old corporate HQ now in the reception area.
With it lit up, you can really see the shading where the BBC blocks used to be
I wonder how long they power washed the bricks?
Living 2 stops away and regularly going to Westfield, I did actually see some men pressurewashing it about 4 months ago, they clearly haven't been too successful as you can see the outline of the 1994 BBC blocks and the lozenges beneath, and the 1997 blocks...
It doesn't look as ruined as I first expected it to be, still looks like TVC (just bits of it taken down and replaced) - the Spur/Stage VI is interesting as Worldwide have moved in, and it looks like any old corporate HQ now in the reception area.
DE
I have to say, while there’s some aversion to the new red facade of the building, I actually quite like it, and according to some early drawings, that’s the colour it was supposed to have been in the first place. I also think they’ve kept the main reception area (aka Stage Door, now known as The Helios reception) pretty much in keeping with how I remember it. I’m delighted to see the Studio Transmission/Rehearsal/Audience Entrance boards have been reimagined.
I’m not sure working in the remaining studios will have quite the atmosphere of the old place, but then I worked in the building for over a decade from the mid 90s onwards, and people even then were saying it wasn’t like the old days. There were certainly huge chunks of the centre that seemed lost, abandoned and down at heel even when all the studios were still open for business. There were days you’d go around and there didn’t seem to be much going on anywhere. I do think it’s a huge mistake not to have kept one more medium sized studio though, but that argument’s been made and lost over and over again
I’m not sure working in the remaining studios will have quite the atmosphere of the old place, but then I worked in the building for over a decade from the mid 90s onwards, and people even then were saying it wasn’t like the old days. There were certainly huge chunks of the centre that seemed lost, abandoned and down at heel even when all the studios were still open for business. There were days you’d go around and there didn’t seem to be much going on anywhere. I do think it’s a huge mistake not to have kept one more medium sized studio though, but that argument’s been made and lost over and over again
NG
It doesn't look as ruined as I first expected it to be, still looks like TVC (just bits of it taken down and replaced) - the Spur/Stage VI is interesting as Worldwide have moved in, and it looks like any old corporate HQ now in the reception area.
Worldwide are only in the former News Centre - which was known as Stage VI (and have been for quite a while), and which was effectively sealed off from the rest of the site during the building work.
Stage IV (aka Spur) and Stage V (which was originally mainly post production and offices - but also included N6 studio floor and N9 studio and gallery) were totally demolished.
The buildings now occupying the positions of Spur and Stage V on the site are totally new 'from the ground up' constructions. Originally there was a plan to retain the original Stage IV/V buildings, but they were pretty unremarkable, quite poor quality spaces, and used 60s and 80s building styles which are probably less well suited to modern usage. I can totally see why a new building has been constructed with space layouts more in line with the needs of the new occupants.
It was very strange to see TV Centre and Stage VI with empty space where Spur and Stage V used to be.
noggin
Founding member
It doesn't look as ruined as I first expected it to be, still looks like TVC (just bits of it taken down and replaced) - the Spur/Stage VI is interesting as Worldwide have moved in, and it looks like any old corporate HQ now in the reception area.
Worldwide are only in the former News Centre - which was known as Stage VI (and have been for quite a while), and which was effectively sealed off from the rest of the site during the building work.
Stage IV (aka Spur) and Stage V (which was originally mainly post production and offices - but also included N6 studio floor and N9 studio and gallery) were totally demolished.
The buildings now occupying the positions of Spur and Stage V on the site are totally new 'from the ground up' constructions. Originally there was a plan to retain the original Stage IV/V buildings, but they were pretty unremarkable, quite poor quality spaces, and used 60s and 80s building styles which are probably less well suited to modern usage. I can totally see why a new building has been constructed with space layouts more in line with the needs of the new occupants.
It was very strange to see TV Centre and Stage VI with empty space where Spur and Stage V used to be.
Last edited by noggin on 12 February 2018 12:27pm
DE
Indeed it was:
The spur and TC8 was to the right of the main facade:
http://news.images.itv.com/image/file/849934/stream_img.jpg
Stage VI standing alone:
http://news.images.itv.com/image/file/849944/stream_img.jpg
Demolition in progress:
Main block roughly from where the Blue Peter garden was, looking towards the back of Stage VI:
http://news.images.itv.com/image/file/849939/stream_img.jpg
The spur and TC8 was to the right of the main facade:
http://news.images.itv.com/image/file/849934/stream_img.jpg
Stage VI standing alone:
http://news.images.itv.com/image/file/849944/stream_img.jpg
Demolition in progress:
Main block roughly from where the Blue Peter garden was, looking towards the back of Stage VI:
http://news.images.itv.com/image/file/849939/stream_img.jpg
HC
So, can you now walk in off Wood Lane and walk around the Helios courtyard and other public access parts of the outside?
Or is it still wooden hording city for a few months yet?
Or is it still wooden hording city for a few months yet?
IS
I actually don’t know but I believe they’re known as the Atomium Dots and are part of the listing of the facade so probably have to stay white. I wondered whether they were meant to represent the dots of light created by cathode rays in tv screen tubes,
There is a story that the dots are there because at some point someone stuck some drawing pins into one of the architectual because they thought the wall looked too plain.
Were they called that from when it was opened though?
Yes I really like the red. That sort of blue paneling is very common on buildings of that sort of era, so dull and uninteresting
I actually don’t know but I believe they’re known as the Atomium Dots and are part of the listing of the facade so probably have to stay white. I wondered whether they were meant to represent the dots of light created by cathode rays in tv screen tubes,
There is a story that the dots are there because at some point someone stuck some drawing pins into one of the architectual because they thought the wall looked too plain.
Quote:
Unless TV Centre was always looking ahead to colour? It did divide it’s dressing areas into Red, Green and Blue ‘assembly’ areas after all...
Were they called that from when it was opened though?
I have to say, while there’s some aversion to the new red facade of the building, I actually quite like it, and according to some early drawings, that’s the colour it was supposed to have been in the first place.
Yes I really like the red. That sort of blue paneling is very common on buildings of that sort of era, so dull and uninteresting
IT
I actually don’t know but I believe they’re known as the Atomium Dots and are part of the listing of the facade so probably have to stay white. I wondered whether they were meant to represent the dots of light created by cathode rays in tv screen tubes,
There is a story that the dots are there because at some point someone stuck some drawing pins into one of the architectual because they thought the wall looked too plain.
Were they called that from when it was opened though?
Yes I really like the red. That sort of blue paneling is very common on buildings of that sort of era, so dull and uninteresting
I think it was originally meant to be red, but they didn't have any red glass, so they used a more bureaucratic blue instead.
I actually don’t know but I believe they’re known as the Atomium Dots and are part of the listing of the facade so probably have to stay white. I wondered whether they were meant to represent the dots of light created by cathode rays in tv screen tubes,
There is a story that the dots are there because at some point someone stuck some drawing pins into one of the architectual because they thought the wall looked too plain.
Quote:
Unless TV Centre was always looking ahead to colour? It did divide it’s dressing areas into Red, Green and Blue ‘assembly’ areas after all...
Were they called that from when it was opened though?
I have to say, while there’s some aversion to the new red facade of the building, I actually quite like it, and according to some early drawings, that’s the colour it was supposed to have been in the first place.
Yes I really like the red. That sort of blue paneling is very common on buildings of that sort of era, so dull and uninteresting
I think it was originally meant to be red, but they didn't have any red glass, so they used a more bureaucratic blue instead.