Senedd building celebrates 15 years since opening with virtual exhibition

The Senedd is celebrating 15 years since opening with a virtual exhibition including a gallery of the building’s construction and a 360 online tour.

This St David’s Day marks 15 years since the Senedd building was officially opened, on 1 March 2006.

The doors of the building remain closed to the public due to risks of COVID-19, but staff said they wanted to mark the anniversary.

The public are being invited to:

• Look through the archive at construction of the building
• Visit the iconic building from the safety of your home in virtual 360 online tour
• Learn all about the Senedd and 2021 Election in free weekly virtual sessions

“With the Senedd Election just around the corner, it is an exciting time for the Senedd, with additional emphasis on connecting with people across the country to educate, inspire and emphasise the importance of Using Their Voice with their vote, and to remember to register by the all-important deadline on 19 April,” says Richard Gwyn Jones from the Senedd visitor team who has guided tour groups from all corners of the world since the building opened.

“The Senedd is one of Wales’ most recognised buildings – iconic and renowned across the world. Although we cannot welcome visitors through the doors on the 15th anniversary of its opening, we are proud to keep the building open safely for people across the globe with our virtual 360 tour, online sessions and exhibitions and to continue to give people a chance to get to know their Senedd wherever in Wales they may be.”

The building has since won numerous architecture and sustainability awards for its environmentally friendly features, including: 2007 Civic Trust Award; 2007 Chicago Athenaeum International Award; 2006 RIBA National Award; 2006 RIBA Stirling Prize Building of the Year Shortlist.

The building makes extensive use of Welsh materials like slate from Cwt-y-Bugail quarry near Blaenau Ffestiniog, oak from Pembrokeshire and steel from TATA Steel Port Talbot and it also embodies in physical form the values that underpin the Senedd, including environmental sustainability, transparency, and openness of democracy.