The Wales Millennium Centre is a world-class arts centre and an icon for Cardiff. The 33,000m2 venue provides a base for seven cultural organisations, including the Welsh National Opera, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, literature, dance and theatre groups, a youth organisation and more. The focal point of the building is an 1,852-seat theatre designed to stage both opera and amplified musical productions. Accommodation also includes rehearsal rooms, a studio theatre, dance studios and a recording studio.

Arup provided a vast range of services to achieve the architectural vision for the centre. These included structural, civil, mechanical, electrical and public health engineering services, as well as planning supervision, infrastructure, geotechnics, transport planning, fire safety design, acoustic and theatre consulting.

The Wales Millennium Centre is one of the most iconic sites in all of Wales, and has become synonymous with high-quality artistic achievement in Cardiff. Arup’s services were key to the design of this 7.5-acre site. Our unique approach to the building programme planned for construction of the project from the inside out. The choice of a steel frame for the auditorium enabled an early start to construction while the architect and acoustician continued to develop designs for the inside. This approach also achieved a weather-tight auditorium enclosure quickly. The construction of the 'shell' roof and interior finishes and services of the auditorium were then completed simultaneously. The steel frame also resulted in a much lighter structure with low-cost foundations. 

Wales Millenium Centre at night

Careful development of the walls, balcony and the sculpted ceiling of the Donald Gordon Theatre help sound to reach every seat in the auditorium.

Wales Millennium Centre

The steel frame also resulted in a much lighter structure with low-cost foundations. 

Partners & collaborators

Percy Thomas Partnership