The firm, whose official appointment will be confirmed next week, beat John McAslan and Partners with DEGW and RMJM to win the scheme.
Harper Mackay will conduct a feasibility study into the consolidation of BBC Wales' operations at the 1960s Sir Percy Thomas-designed Broadcasting House and possibly some adjoining new-build areas. As well as the 15 000 m² Broadcasting House, BBC Wales occupies the smaller Ty Oldfield building. Both are located in the west Cardiff suburb of Llandaff. The 2700 m2 Ty Oldfield building is likely to be sold.
Alan James, principal architect at the BBC's building design department, said the masterplan could result in a £5m-10m redevelopment.
James said: "The aim is to improve the quality of the accommodation, making it more comfortable and efficient. The existing buildings suffer from solar gain, noise problems, poor circulation and make poor use of potential views." James said the redevelopment of BBC Wales was part of the corporation's comprehensive rationalisation of its office and studio space, launched last year to meet performance benchmarks in efficiency and commercial value. James said the BBC would continue to review all its UK sites on an ad hoc basis until 2020.
He said: "We will be looking in a similar way at other sites, to adjust the way we work with new information technology. We no longer require heavily engineered studios. We are broadcasting and editing from desktop equipment in a more flexible, accessible environment." Architects Foster and Partners and Alsop and Störmer have already been shortlisted to redevelop Bush House and Melbourne House in London's Aldwych.
Other sites in line for a shake-up include BBC Scotland's Pacific Quay site in Glasgow, BBC Birmingham's Pebble Mill, BBC TV Centre in London's Wood Lane and buildings in Bristol.
