Bute Building, Cardiff

The Bute Building, situated in Cathays Park, Cardiff, is a prominent structure of Cardiff University that serves as the home for the Welsh School of Architecture. This Grade II listed building, exemplifying neoclassical architecture, was designed by architects Percy Thomas and Ivor Jones. Their design emerged victorious in a 1911 competition aimed at creating a building for Cardiff Technical College. The foundation for the Bute Building was laid in 1913, and it officially opened in 1916.

The building is architecturally noted for its six Roman Doric columns at the front, presenting a classical facade. Despite its traditional design, which has been critiqued as "disappointingly conventional," the Bute Building holds historical significance and architectural grandeur. It includes the Birt Acres Lecture Theatre, named after the cinema pioneer.

Historically, the building has undergone several transformations in its role within educational institutions. Originally part of Cardiff Technical College, it transitioned to the Welsh College of Advanced Technology in 1962 and later became a central part of the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology in 1968. Today, it is not only the Welsh School of Architecture but also the School of Journalism, Media, and Cultural Studies. It contains two key libraries: the Bute Library and the Architecture Library, serving as crucial resources for students and faculty.

One of the building's notable features is the UK's largest Sky Dome, an 8-meter diameter artificial sky situated in the basement. Managed by the School of Architecture, this facility is instrumental for daylight modeling and sun-path studies, enhancing the educational offerings for architecture students. This feature underscores the Bute Building’s ongoing role in advancing architectural education and research.