Post by Teddy Bear on Dec 28, 2012 23:30:10 GMT
The BBC states: "This unique public arena will provide a place to linger and see the BBC in action, a performance and exhibition space, and a café." It adds that the World 'reflects the global dimension of the BBC's broadcasting.”
So what's the problem, one might ask?
This 'unique public arena' is in the middle of a work area, and apparently at least some of the employees there are complaining that the noise created by this space is too distracting for them to work properly.
The open-air piazza has been described as a “new art pavement at the heart of the new central public space” directly in front of the BBC's new glass-fronted headquarters
The BBC said the piazza, which also has a cafe - was the perfect place to “eat and relax away from the bustle of Oxford Street”.
I think it highlights the mindset of the BBC perfectly. They invested over a £billion in refurbishing their Broadcasting House on Portland Square, money they didn't have to earn so they can invest it to portray themselves as artsy by having this 'piazza'. If they had true artistic creativity they wouldn't be so concerned with appearances. But since they don't have to really earn their money, and want to appear sophisticated, they neglected to think through how this might affect their day to day jobs.
So what's the problem, one might ask?
This 'unique public arena' is in the middle of a work area, and apparently at least some of the employees there are complaining that the noise created by this space is too distracting for them to work properly.
The open-air piazza has been described as a “new art pavement at the heart of the new central public space” directly in front of the BBC's new glass-fronted headquarters
The BBC said the piazza, which also has a cafe - was the perfect place to “eat and relax away from the bustle of Oxford Street”.
I think it highlights the mindset of the BBC perfectly. They invested over a £billion in refurbishing their Broadcasting House on Portland Square, money they didn't have to earn so they can invest it to portray themselves as artsy by having this 'piazza'. If they had true artistic creativity they wouldn't be so concerned with appearances. But since they don't have to really earn their money, and want to appear sophisticated, they neglected to think through how this might affect their day to day jobs.
'The World' is too much say BBC workers who complain of noise at Broadcasting House
BBC staff have been forced to use earplugs so they can concentrate on their work during live performances at a new open plan piazza at the BBC’s £1bn headquarters.
Workers already struggling with their new open plan work space and revolving doors, have complained that a string of performances in the piazza have forced them to put earplugs in so they can get on with their work.
The open-air piazza, called “World”, is part of the revamped Broadcasting House in Portland Place, and was supposed to be an open-plan area to “stage cultural events and performances.”
But a number of BBC workers have complained that the noise from various performances over the past few months has left them unable to concentrate.
Oliver Jones, a producer on World of Music on the World Service, said he was fed up with the piazza performances.
He wrote to the BBC's internal magazine Aerial, that he had “no space to think”, adding: "Please let's not have any more performances in the atrium space in Broadcasting House.
"I work on the seventh floor in New Broadcasting House and the level of noise made it extremely difficult to concentrate on work - you could hear it even with headphones on."
He added: "It's not suitable as a performance space, as the noise gets to so many parts of the building and affects so many people who are trying to work hard.
"Even if it was the loveliest music in the world, there are lots of other distractions in the open plan design and we don't need any more."
Another BBC worker, who did not want to be identified, said the noise from the shows were such a distraction that he and his colleagues used earplugs to try and drown out the racket.
He said: "The very nature of the building means that any noise from the piazza flows directly upwards and affects everyone's concentration.
"It feels like you are working in the middle of a gig a lot of the time and many of us are using earplugs to try and drown out the noise."
The open-air piazza has been described as a “new art pavement at the heart of the new central public space” directly in front of the BBC's new glass-fronted headquarters
The BBC said the piazza, which also has a cafe - was the perfect place to “eat and relax away from the bustle of Oxford Street”.
The piazza is due to be fully opened to the public in April next year when a cafe with al fresco dining will cater for BBC staff and passers-by.
It was designed by artist Mark Pimlott and includes more than 750 flagstones inscribed with place names from around the world.
The BBC states: "This unique public arena will provide a place to linger and see the BBC in action, a performance and exhibition space, and a café." It adds that the World 'reflects the global dimension of the BBC's broadcasting.”
BBC staff have been forced to use earplugs so they can concentrate on their work during live performances at a new open plan piazza at the BBC’s £1bn headquarters.
Workers already struggling with their new open plan work space and revolving doors, have complained that a string of performances in the piazza have forced them to put earplugs in so they can get on with their work.
The open-air piazza, called “World”, is part of the revamped Broadcasting House in Portland Place, and was supposed to be an open-plan area to “stage cultural events and performances.”
But a number of BBC workers have complained that the noise from various performances over the past few months has left them unable to concentrate.
Oliver Jones, a producer on World of Music on the World Service, said he was fed up with the piazza performances.
He wrote to the BBC's internal magazine Aerial, that he had “no space to think”, adding: "Please let's not have any more performances in the atrium space in Broadcasting House.
"I work on the seventh floor in New Broadcasting House and the level of noise made it extremely difficult to concentrate on work - you could hear it even with headphones on."
He added: "It's not suitable as a performance space, as the noise gets to so many parts of the building and affects so many people who are trying to work hard.
"Even if it was the loveliest music in the world, there are lots of other distractions in the open plan design and we don't need any more."
Another BBC worker, who did not want to be identified, said the noise from the shows were such a distraction that he and his colleagues used earplugs to try and drown out the racket.
He said: "The very nature of the building means that any noise from the piazza flows directly upwards and affects everyone's concentration.
"It feels like you are working in the middle of a gig a lot of the time and many of us are using earplugs to try and drown out the noise."
The open-air piazza has been described as a “new art pavement at the heart of the new central public space” directly in front of the BBC's new glass-fronted headquarters
The BBC said the piazza, which also has a cafe - was the perfect place to “eat and relax away from the bustle of Oxford Street”.
The piazza is due to be fully opened to the public in April next year when a cafe with al fresco dining will cater for BBC staff and passers-by.
It was designed by artist Mark Pimlott and includes more than 750 flagstones inscribed with place names from around the world.
The BBC states: "This unique public arena will provide a place to linger and see the BBC in action, a performance and exhibition space, and a café." It adds that the World 'reflects the global dimension of the BBC's broadcasting.”