This year, though, viewers might notice a little difference in Richie's expert deliveries at Lord's, and not just because he's left the BBC to join Channel 4's Test Match team.
The reason is simple. Richie, David Gower and their colleagues on Radio Four's Test Match Special have been moved from their draughty old commentary box atop the Warner Stand to a sparkling new home – the £5 million NatWest Media Centre.
The Media Centre opened in May, just in time for this year's limited overs Cricket World Cup. Designed by forward-thinking architect Future Systems, the structure resembles a giant spaceship which appears to 'float' above the Nursery End, straddling the adjacent Compton and Edrich Stands.
The main pod is claimed to be the world's first semi-monocoque aluminium building, with the enclosing shell doubling as the supporting structure. The vast 35 m by 12 m pod rests on two grp-clad concrete legs – these house stairways and lift cores, allowing Richie and his friends a safe passage to the microphone while providing an access point for services and broadcast cabling.
Once inside, there are perfect sightlines behind the bowler's arm (the best possible vantage point) thanks to a single-glazed inclined facade – of which more anon.
The building houses desk space for 240 journalists and broadcasters. For good measure, the main pod also plays host to the obligatory hospitality suites, a 60-seater restaurant/bar and interview rooms. A veritable construction tour-de-force then.
The task of designing the Media Centre's m&e services fell to one of consultant Buro Happold's senior engineers, Neil Billett. Initially, Billett's grand plan was to make use of the pod's elevated position (it stands tall, with its top edge 21 m above ground level) and naturally ventilate the building.
Unfortunately, the results of CFD modelling suggested there was no alternative but to go down the comfort cooling route. To this end, the final design incorporates an arrangement of split dx systems integrated into the floor void. These feed room units recessed into the floor and wall cavities.
Crucially, each person in the journalists' area has local control of cooling thanks to the installation of a desk-jet ventilation system.
Another major factor in the building's design centred on the lighting provision. On the daylighting side, the prime concern was to avoid disturbing reflections from the sun bouncing off the glass onto the famed cricket square. Hence the inclined and laminated glazing which neatly reflects sunlight down onto the backs of those sitting in the upper Compton and Edrich Stands.
The doubly-curved nature of the pod and its inner lining posed something of a problem for Billett and his team in terms of how to design the electric lighting. They chose bespoke adjustable eyeball luminaires, designed by Concord Lighting. These feature specially-adapted concentric louvres finished in the same colour – icy blue – as the interior. The luminaires may be angled towards the rear of the building, thus avoiding any problems with sparkling effects on the pitch. A great idea.
Although some MCC traditionalists will view the NatWest Media Centre as an alien in their quaint old world, there is no doubting it is a triumph of modern engineering.
The big question is whether Richie and friends will feel at home in their new surroundings. "Another superb cover drive from Graeme Hick," eulogises Benaud. Don't worry. They'll be in their element.
Source
Building Sustainable Design
