The Senedd is an iconic building in Cardiff Bay, and home of the Welsh Parliament.
Designed by Lord Richard Rogers and Ivan Harbour, it opened on St David’s Day in 2006, with sustainability at its heart.
Here are five facts about the Senedd that might surprise you.
1. A unique design
The funnel is one of the Senedd’s most striking features. Not only is it a beautiful design, but it also has a practical role. It brings daylight and fresh air to the Siambr, the Senedd’s debating chamber.
The cowl at the top, inspired by ancient Persian technology, changes direction with the wind to draw in fresh air.
The outside of the funnel is covered in red cedar wood, that has a natural self-preserving oil. So it won't need treating for at least 100 years!
2. Heating the Senedd
The building uses a ground source heat pump, that uses the earth’s temperature to heat and cool the building.
A biomass boiler provides extra heating in winter. It uses near zero-carbon wood chips from sustainably-sourced timber as fuel, keeping the building’s carbon dioxide emissions to a minimum.
3. Collecting rainwater
The Senedd roof is specially designed to collect rainwater, which is stored in two giant tanks beneath the building. This, along with other water-saving methods, mean our monthly use of mains water is about the same as a large house!
4. The Pierhead bees
Around 20,000 bees call the Pierhead building home, living in two rooftop hives. This number will swell to around 50,000 in the summertime. The bees can forage for two or three miles around the Bay area. They’ll even visit parks and gardens right across to Penarth if they think there’s food there!
A small team of Senedd staff volunteers care for the bees. You can pick up a jar of delicious Pierhead bee honey at the Senedd gift shop!
5. Our commitment to biodiversity
The Senedd is home to lots of bug hotels, providing habitats for solitary bees and other insects. Our car park has a large garden strip with two small ponds, pollinator-friendly plants and blossoming trees.
Two varieties of orchids are growing in the land alongside the Senedd, thanks to reduced grass cutting. This wildflower strip attracts a range of insects, including damselflies and butterflies.
Come and explore the Senedd
The Senedd is open to the public and free to visit.
There’s lots to do, from guided tours and exhibitions to activities for children and delicious treats in our café with views across Cardiff Bay.