Senedd building#Senedd estate in Cardiff Bay

{{Short description|Building housing the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament}}

{{Infobox building

| name = Senedd building

| native_name = Adeilad y Senedd

| former_names =

| alternate_names = Welsh Parliament building

| image = File:Senedd logo.png

250px

| caption = The Senedd building pictured in 2011.

| alt = A building with a flat wooden roof and a glass façade around the entire building

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| architectural_style = Sustainable architecture, High-tech architecture

| structural_system =

| cost = £69.6 million

| ren_cost =

| location = Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

| address = Welsh Parliament, Cardiff Bay, CARDIFF CF99 1SN{{cite web |url=https://www.royalmail.com/find-a-postcode|publisher= Royal Mail|title= Postcode Finder – Find an Address|format=To access, enter the search parameter "CF99 1SN" (the postcode)|access-date=2020-05-14}}

| client =

| owner = Senedd

| current_tenants =

| landlord =

| coordinates = {{coord|51.4639|-3.1621|display=inline,title}}

| start_date = {{Start date and age|2001|03|01|df=yes}}

| completion_date = 7 February 2006

| inauguration_date = {{Start date and age|2006|03|01|df=yes}}

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| floor_count = 3

| floor_area = {{convert|5308|m2|sqft|sigfig=2}}

| main_contractor = Skanska (phase 1)
Taylor Woodrow (phase 2)

| architect =

| architecture_firm = Richard Rogers Partnership

| structural_engineer = Arup

| services_engineer = BDSP Partnership and MJN Colston

| civil_engineer =

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}}

The Senedd building ({{IPA|cy|ˈsɛnɛð}}), in Cardiff, houses the debating chamber and three committee rooms of the Senedd (Welsh Parliament; {{Langx|cy|Senedd Cymru}}; formerly the National Assembly for Wales). The {{convert|5308|m2|sqft|sigfig=3|adj=on}} Senedd building was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 1 March 2006, Saint David's Day, and the total cost was £69.6 million, which included £49.7 million in construction costs. The Senedd building is part of the Senedd estate that includes Tŷ Hywel and the Pierhead Building.

After two selection processes, it was decided that the debating chamber would be on a new site, called Site 1E, at Capital Waterside in Cardiff Bay. The Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Rogers of Riverside won an international architectural design competition, managed by RIBA Competitions, to design the building. It was designed to be sustainable with the use of renewable technologies and energy efficiency integrated into its design. The building was awarded an "Excellent" certification by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), and was nominated for the 2006 Stirling Prize.

The Senedd building was constructed in two phases, the first in 2001 and the second from August 2003 until it was handed over to the then National Assembly for Wales in February 2006. Between phases, the National Assembly changed contractors and the project's management structure, but retained Lord Rogers of Riverside as the scheme architect. The building was nearly six times over budget and four years and 10 months late, compared to the original estimates of the project in 1997. Total costs rose due to unforeseen security measures after the 11 September attacks, and because the National Assembly did not have an independent cost appraisal of the project until December 2000, three years after the original estimate. Phase 2 costs rose by less than 6% over budget, and that phase was six months late.

Architecture

File:Pierhead Building and Senedd, Cardiff Bay.jpg (left) and the Senedd building (right) facing Cardiff Bay.]]

The Senedd building is in the former Cardiff Docks, about {{convert|3|km|mi}} south of Cardiff Castle. Cardiff Docks had been the largest coal-exporting port in the world, but by the 1980s with the decline of the south Wales coalfield, the area had gradually become derelict.{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?Object_ID=3724&|publisher=Cardiff Council|title=Cardiff Bay|access-date=2010-03-07|archive-date=21 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221232553/http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?Object_ID=3724&|url-status=dead}} By the 1990s the area was being transformed with the construction of the Cardiff Bay Barrage and was renamed Cardiff Bay.{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/coast/walk_printout/|publisher= BBC|title= Walk printout|access-date=2010-03-05}}

The building faces southwest over Cardiff Bay, it has a glass façade around the entire building and is dominated by a steel roof and wood ceiling. It has three floors; the first and second floors are accessible to the public and the ground floor is a private area for officials. The building was designed to be as open and accessible as possible, the architects, the Richard Rogers Partnership (RRP) said "The building was not to be an insular, closed edifice. Rather it would be a transparent envelope, looking outwards to Cardiff Bay and beyond, making visible the inner workings of the Assembly and encouraging public participation in the democratic process."{{cite web| url= http://www.rsh-p.com/work/buildings/national_assembly_for_wales/concept| title= The National Assembly for Wales| publisher= Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners| access-date= 2009-06-28| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080919151405/http://www.rsh-p.com/work/buildings/national_assembly_for_wales/concept| archive-date= 19 September 2008}} The main area in the building is the debating chamber, called the Siambr, including a public viewing gallery. Other areas of the building are the Neuadd, which is the main reception area on the first floor and the Oriel on the second floor. The three committee rooms and the Cwrt are on the ground floor.

= Environmental features =

The design criteria required sustainability, including a design life of 100 years, the use of local Welsh materials, minimal energy consumption and waste, the use of renewable technologies and for it to be an exemplar in terms of sustainability.{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-environmental-features/sen-environmental-features-sustainability.htm| title= Sustainability| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-04-18| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080930165752/http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-environmental-features/sen-environmental-features-sustainability.htm| archive-date= 30 September 2008}}

In total, 36% of all materials and labour costs were spent in Wales, with about 1,000 tonnes of Welsh slate used.{{cite web |url= http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_objectid=16674446&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=-no-hiding-place--in-senedd-name_page.html |title= 'No hiding place' in Senedd |publisher= Media Wales |access-date= 2009-06-01 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090517035321/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_objectid%3D16674446%26method%3Dfull%26siteid%3D50082%26headline%3D-no-hiding-place--in-senedd-name_page.html |archive-date= 17 May 2009 |url-status= dead }} The environmental features of the building have allowed energy savings of between 30% and 50% compared to buildings without these features. The features include 27 pipes that were drilled 100m below ground, so that during cold spells, water is pumped through the pipes and heated to 14 °C by geothermal energy. The hot water is then pumped back up to the slate floor to warm the building to a constant temperature. In warm spells, the same system helps to keep the building cool. A biomass boiler was installed to use wood chips from recycled waste wood to heat the building, and rainwater is collected from the roof to flush the toilets in the building.{{cite web | url= http://www.assemblywales.org/the_senedd_-_working_with_the_environment_2.24mb.pdf| title= The Senedd – working with the environment| publisher= National Assembly for Wales|access-date=2009-04-18}}

= Interior and contents =

{{redirect|Y Siambr|the television game show|Y Siambr (TV series)||Siambr (disambiguation)}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = horizontal

| total_width= 370

| header = Y Siambr

| header_align = center

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Y Siambr The Chamber (51845977123).jpg

| alt1 = Circular arrangement of chairs and tables with computers

| caption1 = Debating chamber

| image2 = The public gallery at the Senedd building 2022.jpg

| alt2 = Two rows of bench type seating in a semicircle

| caption2 = Public gallery overlooking the debating chamber

}}

Y Siambr (The Chamber; {{IPA|cy|/ə ʃambr/}}) is a {{convert|610|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} debating chamber, which holds all 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs) in a circular configuration under the cowl.{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-about-senedd/sen-about-senedd-chamber.htm| title= Y Siambr| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-05-03| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090414091812/http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-about-senedd/sen-about-senedd-chamber.htm| archive-date= 14 April 2009}} The Siambr can be increased to accommodate 80 MSs in the future, by removing temporary walls.{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-virtualtours/sen-virtualtours-achamber-10| title= Virtual Tours| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-06-07| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090108033843/http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-virtualtours/sen-virtualtours-achamber-10| archive-date= 8 January 2009}} On the level above is the public viewing gallery, which looks down on the debating chamber and is separated by security glass. The public gallery holds 128 people on two rows of seats. The MSs' desks and public gallery seating are made of Welsh oak in a circular configuration so that all MSs can see each other, which, it is claimed, makes debating less confrontational.{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-faq.htm#faq10| title= Frequently Asked Questions| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-06-28| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090810194324/http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-faq.htm#faq10| archive-date= 10 August 2009}} Between April 2025 and March 2026, Y Siambr is undergoing refurbishment to increase its capacity to 96 in order to accommodate the larger number of members that will be returned at the Senedd election. During this time, plenary sessions of the Senedd are held in Siambr Hywel within Tŷ Hywel adjacent to the Senedd building.

{{multiple image

| align = left

| direction = vertical

| total_width= 300

| header = Ceremonial mace (Byrllysg) at the Senedd

| header_align = center

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| image1 = Mace at the Senedd.jpg

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| image2 = Ceremonial mace of the Senedd horizontal.png

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| caption2 =

}}

In front of the Llywydd's desk is the {{convert|1.3|m|ft}} ceremonial mace. Melbourne goldsmith Fortunato Rocca was commissioned by the Parliament of New South Wales in 2002 to design it. The mace took 300 hours to craft and is made from gold, silver and brass.{{cite web |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4754894.stm|publisher= BBC |title= New mace is gift from down under |access-date=2008-09-09 | date=1 March 2006}} In 2006, it was worth around £10,500 (A$25,000) and was handed over to the National Assembly during the opening ceremony.

File:Committee room, Senedd.jpg

All committee meetings are held in three committee rooms. Each can accommodate 24 people, although committee rooms 1 and 2 can both hold 34 when fully opened. Members of the public can access the committee room viewing galleries from the Neuadd, which holds 31 people.{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-about-senedd/sen-about-senedd-committee-rooms-2.htm| title= Committee Rooms| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-05-03| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100903165649/http://assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-about-senedd/sen-about-senedd-committee-rooms-2.htm| archive-date= 3 September 2010}}

Members of the public enter the building through Y Neuadd ("The Hall" {{IPA|cy|/ˈnəiað/}}). This first floor level houses the public reception and information area. The reception desk features a large slate and glass desk and a canopy. Stairs to the left of the desk lead to the Oriel on the second floor.{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-about-senedd/sen-about-senedd-hall-link-2| title= Neuadd| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-05-03| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090426143056/http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-about-senedd/sen-about-senedd-hall-link-2| archive-date= 26 April 2009}}

{{multiple image

| align = left

| header = Neuadd and Oriel

| image1 = Neuadd & Oriel, Senedd, Cardiff Bay.jpg

| total_width= 370

| caption_align = center

| alt1 = Reception area to the left with an upper floor to the right

| caption1 = The Neuadd (left) and the Oriel (right) on the upper floor

| image2 = Welsh Assembly Senedd.jpg

| alt2 = Chairs and tables surrounding a large wooden funnel

| caption2 = The Swan chairs in the Oriel

}}

Yr Oriel ("The Gallery", from {{langx|fro|Oriol}};{{cite web| url= http://machaut.uchicago.edu/?resource=Webster%27s&word=oriel&use1913=on&use1828=on| publisher= University of Chicago| access-date= 2009-07-22| title= Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913 + 1828) page 1012| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090821020438/http://machaut.uchicago.edu/?resource=Webster%27s| archive-date= 21 August 2009}} {{IPA|cy|/ɔrjɛl/}}) is a public sitting and exhibition area with views down to Y Siambr and committee rooms. The glass flooring, which surrounds a large funnel feature, enables visitors to look down into the Siambr two floors below.{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-about-senedd/sen-about-senedd-gallery-large.htm| title= The Oriel| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-05-03| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100903165702/http://assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-about-senedd/sen-about-senedd-gallery-large.htm| archive-date= 3 September 2010}} The Swan chairs selected for the Neuadd and Oriel areas were from Fritz Hansen, a Danish company, and originally designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1958.{{cite web| url=http://www.fritzhansen.com/fh/products/en/Lounge/the_swan/the_swan_productfact.pdf| title=The Swan designed by Arne Jacobsen| publisher=Fritz Hansen A/S| access-date=2009-06-01| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705072759/http://www.fritzhansen.com/fh/products/en/Lounge/the_swan/the_swan_productfact.pdf| archive-date=5 July 2010| url-status=dead}}

{{cite web| url= http://www.fritzhansen.com/Renderers/ShowMedia.ashx?i=MediaArchive%3A%2FPDF%2FReferenceBook.pdf| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090830204016/http://www.fritzhansen.com/Renderers/ShowMedia.ashx?i=MediaArchive%3A%2FPDF%2FReferenceBook.pdf| url-status= dead| archive-date= 2009-08-30| title= Making Statements number 1| publisher= Fritz Hansen A/S| access-date= 2009-06-01}}

Y Cwrt ("The Courtyard"; {{IPA|cy|/ˈkʊrt/}}) is an area on the ground floor with a members' tea room, a media briefing room, and access to the Siambr and committee rooms. It is accessible only to MSs, officials of the Senedd and members of the press.{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-about-senedd/sen-about-senedd-court.htm| title= Cwrt| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-05-03| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090414093222/http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-about-senedd/sen-about-senedd-court.htm| archive-date= 14 April 2009}}

An undulating ceiling made of Canadian-sourced Western Redcedar timber spans across the various sections of the building. It was manufactured and installed by BCL Timber Projects (sub-contracted by Taylor Woodrow).{{cite web| url= http://www.bcltimberprojects.co.uk/timber_ceilings03.htm| title= Timber ceilings: National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff| publisher= BCL Timber Projects Ltd| access-date= 2010-07-23| archive-date= 10 September 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110910044500/http://www.bcltimberprojects.co.uk/timber_ceilings03.htm| url-status= dead}}

= Artwork =

{{multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=340px|align = right | header =Commissioned artwork

| header_align = center

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Floor of the Siambr (Senedd building).jpg

| alt1 = Circular design with orange centre surrounded by white and blue dots splaying out

| caption1 = Heart of Wales
in the centre of the Siambr

| image2 = Senedd meeting place on the plinth.jpg

| alt2 = Semicircular slate bench-type seating

| caption2 = Meeting Place on the Plinth
in the southern corner of the Senedd building

| image3 = Senedd art wind break.jpg

| alt3 = Three parallel rows of see-through glass plates

| caption3 = Assembly Field

| image4 = Senedd Aneurin Bevan and Margaret Thatcher.jpg

| alt4 = Two tinplates images of Aneurin Bevan and Margaret Thatcher

| caption4 = Temporary tinplate portraits of Aneurin Bevan (left) and Margaret Thatcher (right)

| image5 = Three Maps of Wales (constituencies).jpg

| alt5 = Steel map of the Welsh Government constituencies

| image6 = Three Maps of Wales (mountains, hills and valleys).jpg

| alt6 = Wooden map of the Welsh Government constituencies

| footer_align = center

| footer = Three Maps of Wales in the foyer,
with the 5 electoral regions (left), the 40 constituencies (middle), and the Welsh landscape of mountains, hills and valleys (right).

}}

Four pieces of art were originally commissioned by the National Assembly to be both decorative and functional; they cost £300,000 in total. The Swansea-based artist Alexander Beleschenko{{cite web|url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/1975227.stm|title = Artist's fury over dumped sculpture|publisher = BBC|access-date = 2009-05-28 | date=8 May 2002}} designed and created the circular and domed Heart of Wales for the centre of the Siambr. It is {{convert|2|m|ft}} wide, made out of blue and gold glass, and lit from beneath.{{cite web|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4553603.stm|title = Art chosen for new Welsh assembly |publisher = BBC|access-date = 2009-04-30 | date=17 May 2005}} Martin Richman designed and created 270 fabric-covered acoustic absorption panels, which were dyed and painted.{{cite web|url = http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-about-senedd/sen-about-art/sen-about-art-colour-in-the-senedd-link-2|title = Colour in the Senedd – The Acoustic Panels|publisher = National Assembly for Wales|access-date = 2009-07-01|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080820123016/http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-about-senedd/sen-about-art/sen-about-art-colour-in-the-senedd-link-2|archive-date = 20 August 2008}} American sculptor Danny Lane designed and created the wind hedge, Assembly Field. It has five parallel rows of 32 glass plates and was designed to have the practical use of protecting the public from high winds coming off Cardiff Bay. Devon-born sculptor Richard Harris{{cite web|url = http://www.sculpture.org.uk/artists/RichardHarris/|title = Richard Harris|publisher = Cass Sculpture Foundation|access-date = 2009-05-28|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090604010406/http://www.sculpture.org.uk/artists/RichardHarris/|archive-date = 4 June 2009}} created The Meeting Place on the Plinth, which is 45 tonnes of slate machine-cut into 39 slate slabs; the slate was from Cwt y Bugail Quarry in north Wales.{{cite web|url = http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-about-senedd/sen-about-art/sen-about-art-assembly-meeting-place.htm|title = The Meeting Place on the Plinth|publisher = National Assembly for Wales|access-date = 2009-07-01|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100904023818/http://assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-about-senedd/sen-about-art/sen-about-art-assembly-meeting-place.htm|archive-date = 4 September 2010}} It is an informal seating area south of the building. Harris said of the work, "I wanted to create a space that was to the side of the building, that related closely to the building but was very inviting for people to use – somewhere quieter that people could sit and spend some time."

In 2008, two temporary tinplate portraits were commissioned by the National Assembly for Wales. The artist was Dylan Hammond, and each portrait, one of Aneurin Bevan and the other of Margaret Thatcher measured {{convert|4.3|m|ft}} x {{convert|3|m|ft}}. They were on display for 3 months.{{cite web|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7411199.stm|title = Tin Thatcher sparks assembly row |publisher = BBC|access-date = 2022-05-20 | date=2008-05-21}}

The Welsh sculptor and blacksmith Angharad Pearce Jones designed and created the Three Maps of Wales ({{langx|cy|Tri Map o Gymru}}) that were unveiled in 2021.{{cite web|url = https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/tri-map-o-gymru-three-maps-of-wales-283919|title = Tri Map o Gymru / Three Maps of Wales|publisher =Art UK|access-date = 2020-11-23|url-status =live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221123090819/https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/tri-map-o-gymru-three-maps-of-wales-283919|archive-date = 2022-11-23}} They were made from Port Talbot steel at her workshop near Brynamman and are on permanent display.{{cite web|url = https://senedd.wales/visit/exhibitions/senedd-artworks/three-maps-of-wales/|title = Three Maps of Wales|publisher =Senedd|date=2021-03-01 |access-date = 2020-11-23|url-status =live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221123092719/https://senedd.wales/visit/exhibitions/senedd-artworks/three-maps-of-wales/|archive-date = 2022-11-23}} They consist of three large steel maps of Wales, the smallest shows the boundaries of the 5 electoral regions of the Senedd, the other the 40 constituencies of the Senedd and the largest being the landscape of Wales and weights {{convert|0.25|t|kg}} and is {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide and just over 2 metres high. The largest map of the Welsh landscape is on wheels so it can be displayed in other parts of the building if needed.

Etymology

The Welsh word {{lang|cy|senedd}} means 'senate' or 'parliament'.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4686944.stm|title=New assembly building opens doors|date=1 March 2006|publisher=BBC News|access-date=13 May 2020}} The Roman Senate ({{langx|la|Senatus Romanus}}) used the word Senatus in its name, which is derived from the Latin word {{lang|la|senex}}, meaning 'old man', 'old age', 'elder' or 'council of elders'.{{cite book|author=Reynaldo Pareja|title=A Divine Invitation to Create a New World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FV1NAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA209|date=2012-01-26|publisher=Xlibris Corporation|isbn=978-1-4535-6645-9|pages=209}}{{cite web |url= https://www.livius.org/articles/concept/senate/|website= Livius.org|title= Senate|access-date=2020-05-13}}{{cite web |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4729447.stm|publisher= BBC|title= Clue to stopping prostate cancer|date= 5 August 2005|access-date=2020-05-13}}

Background and construction

= First site selection process =

Under the Laws in Wales Act 1536 Wales was fully incorporated into England and administered as a single sovereign state (the Kingdom of England) with a single legal system (English law). It was in 1964 that the Secretary of State for Wales was created as a Cabinet post, which gave some powers to Wales.{{cite web|url = http://www.ukcle.ac.uk/resources/nations/wales/wales/|title = The Government of Wales Act 2006: the challenges for legal education|publisher = University of Warwick|access-date = 2010-03-05|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110717133923/http://www.ukcle.ac.uk/resources/nations/wales/wales/|archive-date = 17 July 2011}} A referendum was held in 1979 to decide whether there was support for a Welsh Assembly among the Welsh electorate. This was defeated with a majority of 20.2% for and 79.7% against.{{cite web|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/devolution/wales/briefing/79referendums.shtml|title =The 1979 Referendums |publisher = BBC|access-date = 2022-06-29|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010503234457/https://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/devolution/wales/briefing/79referendums.shtml/#Wales|archive-date = 3 May 2001}}

After the 1997 United Kingdom general election, the Labour Government published a white paper in July 1997, called A Voice for Wales; in it, the UK Government proposed that "(the Welsh Assembly) headquarters will be in Cardiff ... (the) setting up (of) the Assembly is likely to cost between £12M and £17M. Additional running costs should be between £15M and £20M a year."{{cite web|url = http://www.rcgp.org.uk/docs/ISS_SUMM97_09.DOC|title = A Voice for Wales – The Government's Proposals for a Welsh Assembly|publisher = Royal College of General Practitioners|access-date = 2009-04-08|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071016195632/http://www.rcgp.org.uk/docs/ISS_SUMM97_09.DOC|archive-date = 16 October 2007}} On 18 September 1997, Wales voted in favour of a National Assembly for Wales in the Welsh devolution referendum, with 50.30% for and 49.70% against. The Government of Wales Act 1998 was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and was granted Royal Assent on 31 July 1998.

{{multiple image|caption_align=center|perrow=2|total_width=340px|align = right | header = Shortlisted sites in the first selection process

| image1 = CardiffWAG2007.jpg

| alt1 = Art Deco building with lawns in foreground

| caption1 = Cathays Park Building

| image2 = Coal Exchange, Cardiff.jpg

| alt2 = Victorian style building

| caption2 = Coal Exchange

| image3 = Glamorgan Building, Cathays Park, Cardiff.jpg

| alt3 = Neoclassical building

| caption3 = The former Glamorgan County Hall

| image4 = Cardiff City Hall 2007.jpg

| alt4 = English and French renaissance style building

| caption4 = Cardiff City Hall

}}

Before the referendum took place, the Welsh Office asked Symonds Facilities Management (later known as Capita Symonds) to investigate possible sites for a new Welsh Assembly.{{cite web |url = http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/{{Not a typo|Acc|omodation}}_Arrangements_For_The_National_Assembly_agw_2000.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061015133637/http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Accomodation_Arrangements_For_The_National_Assembly_agw_2000.pdf |url-status = dead |archive-date = 15 October 2006 |title = Accommodation Arrangements for the National Assembly for Wales |publisher = Wales Audit Office |access-date = 2009-04-08 }} The study was carried out in June 1997, and it considered 20 sites. By August 1997, the Welsh Office and the Property Advisors to the Civil Estate (now part of the Office of Government Commerce) produced a shortlist of five sites for selection: the Cathays Park Building (the existing Welsh Office buildings); the Coal Exchange in Cardiff Bay; a site next to County Hall in Cardiff Bay; the former Glamorgan County Hall, Cathays Park; and Cardiff City Hall, Cathays Park, owned by Cardiff Council. In making their decision they considered the need for a space of {{convert|80000|sqft|m2}} that would be ready to use by May 1999. The building was to be of appropriate stature{{clarify|date=May 2020}}, location and quality, and provide good access for the disabled and good staff accommodation that would avoid disruption to existing staff.

From the five on the shortlist, two sites were selected for further consideration: the Cathays Park Building and Cardiff City Hall. Cardiff City Hall was favoured because the executive and legislative functions would be separated; Cardiff City Hall was more widely recognised by the Welsh public and was a more prestigious building compared with the Cathays Park Building. The move to Cardiff City Hall would have also avoided a disruptive move for Welsh Office staff at the Cathays Park Building. The Welsh Office concluded that Cardiff City Hall would only remain an option if the initial costs were £17M or less, which was the top end of the estimate figure given in the White Paper. This would only be possible if essential works were carried out immediately and the remainder of the work carried out later. Cardiff Council would need to agree a selling price of £5M or less for this to be possible.

There were discussions between the leader of Cardiff Council, Russell Goodway, and the Secretary of State for Wales, Ron Davies MP. The two disagreed on the valuation of the site: Davies offered what was believed to be the market price of £3.5 million; Goodway demanded £14 million for the relocation of Council staff.{{cite web|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/events/wales_99/the_welsh_assembly/310031.stm|title = Building a new assembly |publisher = BBC|access-date = 2009-04-06 | date=6 April 1999}} In October 1997, both the Welsh Office and Cardiff Council agreed to the District Valuer providing an independent assessment of the market value of Cardiff City Hall and the cost of staff relocating to an equivalent standard of accommodation. The District Valuer advised that the open market value of Cardiff City Hall was £3.5 million. There was not enough information available for the District Valuer to make a decision. A bid of £2.5 million was made by the Welsh Office on 14 November 1997, which was rejected on 21 November 1997. A final offer of £3.5 million was made on 24 November and this too was rejected by Cardiff County Council. Davies later announced his decision not to go ahead with the Cardiff City Hall site for the National Assembly.

= Second site selection process =

{{multiple image

| align = right

| header = Proposed sites in the second selection process

| header_align = center

| total_width = 340

| perrow = 2

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Margam Castle - geograph.org.uk - 1308540.jpg

| alt1 = Country house in Gothic Revival architectural style

| caption1 = Margam Castle

| image2 = Cyfartha Castle.jpg

| alt2 = Victorian castellated mansion with a keep to the left and formal gardens in the foreground

| caption2 = Cyfarthfa Castle

| image3 = Flintshire Shire Hall, Mold.jpg

| alt3 = Circa 1970s six-storey office building

| caption3 = County Hall, Mold

| image4 = TV Centre Cardiff.jpg

| alt4 = Outside view of television studios and offices

| caption4 = The former HTV studios in Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff

}}

In December 1997, the Welsh Office invited proposals from Wales for the National Assembly building. 24 proposals were received; 14 came from the private sector and government-owned corporations including HTV Group, Grosvenor Waterside (owned by Associated British Ports), Tarmac Developments, Cardiff Bay Development Corporation and Cardiff Airport. Nine local authorities in Wales made proposals including the Guildhall proposed by Swansea Council, Cardiff City Hall by Cardiff Council, Margam Castle by Neath Port Talbot Council, Cyfarthfa Castle by Merthyr Tydfil Council; proposals also came from Wrexham Council, Flintshire County Council who proposed two sites at Ewloe and Mold, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Powys County Council and five sites from Bridgend Council. The Grosvenor Waterside proposal, known as Capital Waterside, included the Pierhead Building, Crickhowell House and Site 1E, which would become the site of the new debating chamber.

{{multiple image|caption_align=center|perrow=2|total_width=340px|align = left

| header = Shortlisted sites in the second selection process

| header_align = center

| image1 = -SeneddSwansea (22524551390).jpg

| alt1 = Art deco style building with a clock tower

| caption1 = The Guildhall

| image2 = Callaghan Square Cardiff.jpg

| alt2 = Modern office block c.2000, with water feature in foreground

| caption2 = Callaghan Square

| image3 = Senedd construction site - aerial view 14-02-01.jpg

| alt3 = Aerial view of docks area

| caption3 = Site 1E

| image4 = Prospect Place flats near Cardiff Bay (geograph 3955263).jpg

| alt4 = View of apartment buildings

| caption4 = Prospect Place

}}

All the proposals were reviewed by the Welsh Office, who rejected sites due to poor location, accommodation or cost. A shortlist of ten sites were further reviewed. These were: Capital Waterside (now known as Cardiff Waterside); Cardiff City Hall; a site next to County Hall; Bute Square (now known as Callaghan Square); Prospect Place; Cardiff Gate Business Park; Kingsway and the Coal Exchange all in Cardiff, with the HTV site at Culverhouse Cross, and the Guildhall in Swansea.

Davies announced on 13 March 1998 that the new National Assembly building would be in Cardiff. He said that the Cardiff proposals were "too compelling to resist", because "in making this decision, I am mindful that Wales has invested 40 years in promoting Cardiff as our capital city." The National Assembly building would be either in Bute Square or Capital Waterside. The Welsh Office decided that the Capital Waterside proposal carried less risk and would cost less than the Bute Square proposal. Capital Waterside would cost £43.9M, while Bute Square would cost £52.5M.{{cite web | url= http://www.assemblywales.org/3805b7660002218b00000c6300000000.pdf| title= Written Questions answered from 30 September to 7 October 1999| publisher= National Assembly for Wales|access-date=2010-03-05}} On 28 April 1998, Davies announced that the site of the National Assembly building would be Capital Waterside. The site was acquired by the National Assembly from Grosvenor Waterside Investments Ltd, which was owned by Associated British Ports.{{cite web|url= http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=S.I.+(All+UK)&PageNumber=1&BrowseLetter=N&NavFrom=1&parentActiveTextDocId=3329520&ActiveTextDocId=3329520&filesize=41636|publisher= Office of Public Sector Information|title= The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Property, Rights and Liabilities) Order 2007|access-date= 2009-02-10|archive-date= 17 August 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120817023022/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/1269/contents/made|url-status= dead}} The agreement covered extending the lease of Crickhowell House, later known as Tŷ Hywel, until 2023, renting the Pierhead Building for 15 years and purchasing Site 1E for £1, which would be where the Senedd building was built.

= Design selection process =

Before deciding on Capital Waterside as the site of the National Assembly, Davies announced on 13 March 1998 that an international competition would be held to select the design of the building for the debating chamber. Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Competitions would oversee the competition and a design panel would recommend a design to the Secretary of State for Wales.{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-subpage/sen-project-history-1998-2001-link-2| title= Project History 1998–2001| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-04-06| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091106111252/http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-subpage/sen-project-history-1998-2001-link-2| archive-date= 6 November 2009}} The Design Competition Advisory Panel was made up of seven members and was chaired by Lord Callaghan of Cardiff, the former MP for Cardiff South and Penarth and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The chair and four other members were appointed by Davies and the remaining two members were appointed by the RIBA. The competition was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 13 June 1998.

Davies wanted a building "to capture the imagination of the Welsh people".Quotation is the BBC's summary of Davies' position. {{cite web|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/events/wales_99/the_welsh_assembly/310031.stm|title = Building a new assembly |publisher = BBC|access-date = 2009-04-06 | date=6 April 1999}} The criteria of the competition were that the building should have a functional specification and a price tag of no more than £12 million including fees. In total, 55 architects had shown interest in the project: nine came from Wales, 38 from the rest of the UK and the remaining eight from the rest of the world. The Design Competition Advisory Panel selected 12 architects for interview in August 1998; from those a shortlist of six architects were chosen to submit concept designs; they were: Benson & Forsyth; Eric Parry Associates; Niels Torp and Stride Treglown Davies; Richard Rogers Partnership (now known as Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners); Itsuko Hasegawa Atelier and Kajima Design Europe; and MacCormac Jamieson Prichard.

{{multiple image

| align = right

| header = Steps leading to the Senedd

| total_width = 500

| header_align = center

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Cross Section of the Senedd.jpg

| alt1 = Line drawing of the floors and roof

| caption1 = The initial concept design by Richard Rogers Partnership. Richard Rogers said the idea "was that steps (would) rise out of the water...where people...(would) look down on the Assembly Members"

| image2 = Stepped entrance to The Senedd 6411866 f20413ef.jpg

| alt2 = Steps leading up to the entrance of the Senedd building

| caption2 = After construction, steps leading to the Senedd building (2020)

}}

Each architect submitted designs by 5 October 1998; 10 days later the Design Competition Advisory Panel met and unanimously recommended that the Richard Rogers Partnership (RRP) design should be selected. Davies announced RRP as the scheme architects on 16 October 1998. Richard Rogers said, "The idea was that steps rise out of the water and there is a whole public domain where people meet each other and look down on the Assembly Members."{{cite web | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4686944.stm| title= New assembly building opens doors | publisher= BBC| access-date=2009-05-24 | date=1 March 2006}} Richard Rogers had previously designed the Lloyd's building in London and the Pompidou Centre in Paris with Renzo Piano.{{cite web|url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/audiointerviews/profilepages/rogersr2.shtml|title = Interviews|publisher = BBC|access-date = 2009-05-10|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080516214157/http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/audiointerviews/profilepages/rogersr2.shtml|archive-date = 16 May 2008|url-status = dead}} 11 days later, Davies resigned as Secretary of State for Wales.{{cite web| url=http://www.walesoffice.gov.uk/about/history/secretaries-of-state/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204232747/http://www.walesoffice.gov.uk/about/history/secretaries-of-state/| url-status=dead| archive-date=2011-02-04| title=Secretaries of State| publisher=Wales Office| access-date=2010-03-07}}

It was planned that the outline design would be completed by June 1999, and the detailed design completed by February 2000. Construction of the building was due to begin in November 2000 and be completed in April 2001. On 1 July 1999, The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 came into effect: this transferred all powers from the Secretary of State for Wales to the National Assembly for Wales; responsibility for the construction of the debating chamber transferred at the same time. Cardiff Council granted planning permission for the building on 8 November 1999, and by 26 January 2000 the National Assembly voted to progress the project to the next stage.{{cite web|url = http://www.assemblywales.org/keyevents-e_-_for_internet_-_master.rtf|title = Key Events in the Development of the National Assembly for Wales|publisher = National Assembly for Wales|access-date = 2009-04-13|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120222011147/http://www.assemblywales.org/keyevents-e_-_for_internet_-_master.rtf|archive-date = 22 February 2012}}

= First phase of construction =

Rhodri Morgan AM replaced Alun Michael AM as the First Secretary (now known as the First Minister) of the National Assembly on 15 February 2000.{{cite web | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/643309.stm| title= Morgan leads Welsh Assembly | publisher= BBC| access-date=2009-07-26 | date=15 February 2000}} On 22 March, Morgan stopped all work on the project to carry out a complete review. The decision to stop the project was supported by a vote in the National Assembly on 6 April 2000. The review included the costs and construction risks of the new building, the timetable for the completion of the project and consideration of possible alternatives to the new building.

The review was carried out by the Assembly's Management Services Division, the Property Advisors to the Civil Estate and Symonds Group Ltd. They considered the following options: cancel the project; continue with the existing design; design a building on Site 1E; improve the existing debating chamber; construct a small chamber in the courtyard of Crickhowell House; and relocate to Cardiff City Hall. On 21 June 2000 it was agreed that the original proposal using the RRP design should proceed.{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-assembly-debates/sen-project-history-assembly-debates-210600-link-2| title= The New Assembly Building| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-04-15| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101011035237/http://assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-assembly-debates/sen-project-history-assembly-debates-210600-link-2| archive-date= 11 October 2010}}

File:Senedd construction site - Aerial view 08-06-01.jpg

An international competition was held to select the main contractor. It was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Community, and in December 2000 Skanska Ltd was selected as the main contractor. Edwina Hart AM, the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities, approved the final project design on 18 January 2001 and by 1 March 2001, the groundbreaking ceremony took place to mark the beginning of construction.{{cite web | url= http://new.wales.gov.uk/news/archivepress/localgovculpress/locgovpress2001/754241/;jsessionid=RXZvKQ1FvJs1GL2HpQR2qr7G2J7W9f505J1tpJ3wJ5MJ30n2Dfjx!514291769?cr=1&lang=en | title= Groundbreaking ceremony for new National Assembly building| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date=2009-07-19}}

Six months after construction had begun and with only the piling and a temporary road around the site having been completed,{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-assembly-debates/sen-project-history-assembly-debates-statement-180101-link-2| title= Statement on the New Assembly Building| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-04-13| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081013131033/http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-assembly-debates/sen-project-history-assembly-debates-statement-180101-link-2| archive-date= 13 October 2008}}{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-subpage/sen-project-history-2001| title= Project History 2001| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-04-13| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120222012151/http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-subpage/sen-project-history-2001| archive-date= 22 February 2012}}

Hart announced on 17 July 2001 that the National Assembly had terminated the contract of RRP. She said that despite the termination of the contract, the debating chamber should still be built to RRP's design.{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/rop-170701-e-2.pdf-link| title= The New Assembly Building| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-04-15| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080930165933/http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/rop-170701-e-2.pdf-link| archive-date= 30 September 2008}} RRP said of the project that "From the outset, RRP has advised that the project could not be built within a construction budget of £13.1M due to client changes, the political requirement to use indigenous materials at any cost and exceptional contractor changes. RRP's advice was consistently ignored. It is plainly untrue for the Finance Minister to assert that RRP underestimated the costs." Hart said she stopped the project because of the "significant underestimates in the cost plan prepared by RRP", and that RRP "had hidden costs from the Assembly".{{cite web | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/1443958.stm| title= Rogers rejects assembly HQ verdict| publisher= BBC| access-date=2009-04-15 | date=18 July 2001}}

A legal dispute then arose between RRP claiming £529,000 in fees, and the National Assembly claiming £6.85M in damages.{{cite web | url= http://www.assemblywales.org/N0000000000000000000000000009092.pdf| title= The National Assembly's new building: update report| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date=2009-04-16}} On 10 December 2001 RRP requested an appointment of an adjudicator from the Construction Industry Council to resolve the issue.{{cite web | url= http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/National_Assembly_New_Building_Update_agw_2002.pdf| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060515001411/http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/National_Assembly_New_Building_Update_agw_2002.pdf| url-status= dead| archive-date= 2006-05-15| title= The National Assembly's new building: Update report| publisher= National Audit Office Wales| access-date=2009-04-16}} The adjudication took place in February 2002, and ruled that RRP was entitled to £448,000 of its claim, while the National Assembly was not entitled to any of the damages they had claimed.

= Second phase of construction =

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = horizontal

| total_width = 340

| header = Progress during the second phase of construction

| header_align = center

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Senedd construction site - aerial view April 2004.jpg

| alt1 = Aerial view of a construction site

| caption1 = April 2004

| image2 = Senedd September 2004.jpg

| alt2 = Senedd building still being constructed but with main frame completed

| caption2 = September 2004

}}

In August 2001, the National Assembly appointed Francis Graves Ltd as the project managers, to review the whole project up until the termination of the RRP contract and to propose how the project should progress in the future. They reported that the "lines of accountability were complex and insufficiently clear", that no project costs were obtained by the National Assembly, independent of RRP, until December 2000, and that the project "was highly susceptible to cost over runs". The report recommended that the National Assembly appoint project managers, which they did when they appointed Schal International Management Ltd (part of Carillion) in May 2002. Northcroft Group Ltd were appointed as a subcontractor, responsible for cost management and they reported directly to Schal. Schal had full responsibility to manage the main contractor and subcontractors.{{cite web| url= http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/research/briefings-04/sb04-60.pdf| title= The Holyrood Building Project| publisher= Scottish Parliament| access-date= 2009-04-16| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090621035503/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/research/briefings-04/sb04-60.pdf| archive-date= 21 June 2009}} Schal reported to a Project Board, who reported to the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities. The Project Board was made up of National Assembly and Welsh Government officials and a representative from Schal.

The Welsh Government decided that a design and build fixed-price contract would be used for the second phase of construction, while phase one of construction made time the important factor over cost certainty.{{cite web | url= http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Senedd_2008_report_eng.pdf| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080804135226/http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Senedd_2008_report_eng.pdf| url-status= dead| archive-date= 2008-08-04| title= The Senedd – Report presented on 12 March 2008| publisher= Wales Audit Office| access-date=2009-04-16}} The overall aim was to "deliver a landmark building…to time, to an appropriate quality and within budget". On 23 October 2002 an invitation to tender was issued through the Official Journal of the European Community.{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-subpage/sen-project-history-2002.htm| title= Project History 2002| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-04-16| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071102202542/http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-subpage/sen-project-history-2002.htm| archive-date= 2 November 2007}} Eight companies submitted an interest in the tender process, including Taylor Woodrow, David McLean, Laing and Skanska,{{cite web | url= https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/archive/tenders-for-welsh-assembly-hit-delays-08-08-2002/| title= Tenders for Welsh Assembly hit delays | date= 8 August 2002 | publisher= Construction News (EMAP)|access-date=2009-04-16}} of these only David McLean and the Taylor Woodrow Strategic Alliance Partnership with RRP as a subcontractor, submitted tenders. David McLean's tender did not comply with the tender requirements, so the Assembly Government negotiated a fixed-price contract with Taylor Woodrow for £48.2M. The contract was signed between Taylor Woodrow and the First Minister on 1 July 2003 and construction began for a second time on 4 August 2003.{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-subpage/sen-project-history-2003.htm| title= Project History 2003| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-04-16| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071102201850/http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-subpage/sen-project-history-2003.htm| archive-date= 2 November 2007}}

{{multiple image

| align = left

| header = The cowl and funnel

| total_width = 500

| header_align = center

| caption_align = center

| image1 = The cowl on the Senedd.jpg

| alt1 = Silver coloured cowl

| caption1 = Exterior view of the cowl

| image2 = Welsh National Assembly.jpg

| alt2 = Dark image with light coming from a circular opening at the top of the funnel

| caption2 = Inside the funnel and cowl viewed from the Siambr

| image3 = SeneddFunnel.jpg

| alt3 = Large wooden funnel with chairs surrounding it

| caption3 = The funnel viewed from the Oriel

}}

The topping out ceremony took place on 25 November 2004 by the Presiding Officer, Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Privy Counsellor (PC), AM, which included the lifting into place of the world's largest free rotating wind driven cowl, which was the tallest point of the building.{{cite web| url= http://new.wales.gov.uk/news/archivepress/officefirstminspress/firstminpress2004/706238/?lang=en| title= Historic day for new Assembly debating chamber| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-04-26| archive-date= 17 February 2017| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170217223506/http://new.wales.gov.uk/news/archivepress/officefirstminspress/firstminpress2004/706238/?lang=en| url-status= dead}} The cowl sits {{convert|6|m|ft}} above the roof line and rotates when the wind changes direction to ventilate the debating chamber.{{cite web| url= http://www.daapspace.daap.uc.edu/~larsongr/Larsonline/Passive_Solar_files/WelshAssemb.pdf| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111007213804/http://www.daapspace.daap.uc.edu/~larsongr/Larsonline/Passive_Solar_files/WelshAssemb.pdf| url-status= dead| archive-date= 2011-10-07| title= The National Assembly for Wales| publisher= University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning| access-date= 2009-06-28}} Construction of the Senedd building ended on 7 February 2006 when the National Assembly took control of the building. The project was six months late, due to the National Assembly not producing a detailed specification on time. The 10-year ICT contract, known as Merlin, was between the National Assembly and Siemens Business Services Ltd, now known as Siemens IT Solutions and Services.{{cite web|url = http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Merlin_contract_report.pdf|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060514055439/http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Merlin_contract_report.pdf|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2006-05-14|title = The Merlin Contract – Enabling the National Assembly to change its business processes through ICT|publisher = Wales Audit Office|access-date = 2009-06-06}}{{cite web|url = http://www.siemens.ch/it-solutions_en/index.php|title = Welcome to Siemens IT Solutions and Services|publisher = Siemens|access-date = 2009-06-07}} Other subcontractors on the project included Arup (structural engineers), BDSP Partnership and MJN Colston (services engineers),{{cite web | url=http://www.mjncolston.co.uk/projects/view/4

| title= National Assembly for Wales| publisher= MJN Colston|access-date=2009-05-09}} and BCL Timber Projects (timber ceiling).{{cite web| url= http://bcltimberprojects.co.uk/Timber_ceilings.htm| title= Timber ceilings| publisher= Barrett Ceilings Ltd| access-date= 2009-05-09| archive-date= 9 April 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090409080709/http://www.bcltimberprojects.co.uk/Timber_ceilings.htm| url-status= dead}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| header = Official Opening of the Senedd building

| total_width = 230

| direction = vertical

| header_align = center

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Queen Elizabeth II with Richard Rogers and Sue Essex.jpg

| alt1 = The Queen and two individuals

| caption1 = Queen Elizabeth II opening the Senedd building with Richard Rogers and Sue Essex AM

| image2 = Opening Plaque at the Senedd (cropped).jpg

| alt2 = Opening Plaque

| caption2 = The Opening Plaque at the Senedd

}}

The {{convert|5308|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} Senedd building was opened by Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall on 1 March 2006 (St. David's Day).{{cite web|url = http://www.rsh-p.com/work/selected_works/national_assembly_for_wales|title = National Assembly for Wales|publisher = Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners|access-date = 2009-05-31|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110715205818/http://www.rsh-p.com/work/selected_works/national_assembly_for_wales|archive-date = 15 July 2011}}{{cite web| url= http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-subpage/sen-project-history-openeing-the-senedd-link-2| title= Official Opening of the Senedd| publisher= National Assembly for Wales| access-date= 2009-04-16| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091025084015/http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-subpage/sen-project-history-openeing-the-senedd-link-2| archive-date= 25 October 2009}} After an address by the Queen, the Parliament of New South Wales presented a ceremonial mace to the National Assembly to recognise the links between Wales and New South Wales. Addresses were later given by John Price MP, the Deputy Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, Morgan and Elis-Thomas. A set of commemorative envelopes and postmarks were issued by the Royal Mail to mark the opening of the Senedd building, in the form of a souvenir sheet.{{cite web|url = http://www.norphil.co.uk/2006/03a-wass.htm|title = The Opening of the National Assembly for Wales Building Miniature Sheet – 1 March 2006 |publisher = Norvic Philatelics |access-date = 2009-06-25}}

Two years after the opening ceremony in 2008, Taylor Woodrow Construction were fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £71,400, after being prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive for breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 at Cardiff Crown Court.{{cite web| url= http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2008/coiw71908.htm| title= Taylor Woodrow prosecution highlights construction dangers| publisher= Health and Safety Executive| access-date= 2009-06-01| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100506063406/http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2008/coiw71908.htm| archive-date= 6 May 2010}} The breach contributed to the death of John Walsh, a foreman working for Ferson Construction Services Ltd, a subcontractor of Taylor Woodrow. The accident occurred on 14 March 2004 and was due to a cavity wall that Mr Walsh was filling, collapsing on him, even though Taylor Woodrow Construction had recognised the risks before the contract had begun. Judge Neil Bidder QC said "No-one seriously disputes it was an unsafe construction and Ferson (Construction Services) must share blame for that construction."{{cite web | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7789990.stm| title= £200k fine in Senedd death case| publisher= BBC|access-date=2009-06-01 | date=18 December 2008}}

=Timeline of cost increases and time delays=

The cost of the Senedd building increased from £12 million in 1997 to £69.6 million in 2006, an increase of 580%. In a report published in March 2008 by the Wales Audit Office, the reason for the increase was that the original estimate of £12 million was not based on any detailed design of the final requirements of the building.{{cite web | url= http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Senedd_2008_report_eng.pdf | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080804135226/http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Senedd_2008_report_eng.pdf | url-status= dead | archive-date= 2008-08-04 | title= The Senedd| publisher= Wales Audit Office |access-date=2009-04-30}} In addition, there were unforeseen security measures after the September 11 attacks in the United States.{{cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/senedd-expensive-yes-final-iconic-2138153|last=Williamson|first=David|date=5 November 2008|title=Senedd is expensive, yes. But final iconic result is worth it|website=WalesOnline|access-date=14 June 2009|language=en}}

After the project was stopped in 2001, the contract for the construction of the second phase of the building used a fixed-price design and build contract, which meant a much tighter control of costs than in the first phase.

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!Construction
period

!Date

!Estimated and final cost
(£ millions)

!Estimated
completion date

!Notes