Benjamin Davies

BSc (Hons) Architectural Design & Technology

Having blinked and missed the last three years I find myself grinning with disbelief, this surreal feeling continues to wash over me and give me butterflies. The past three years will remain a rememberable and cherished experience, I will hold them close to me as I move forward with my career as an Architectural Technologist. University has had a major positive impact both academically and professionally, teaching me new skills and knowledge in my chosen discipline as well as on a wider spectrum. Most importantly my higher educational experience at Cardiff Metropolitan has allowed me to grow existentially, meeting new people, building friendships, and immersing myself into our multi-cultured Capital City has been invaluable.

Straight off the bat, I would likely describe my Cardiff Bay Arts Centre scheme as a collaboration of these experiences. Working with existing floor plans offered the opportunity implement all the skills I have gathered over the past projects, a chance to focus on areas previously looked over such as construction details and presentation skills. Having worked with timber and steel frames before, I seized the seized the opportunity to design with a fitting concrete frame. Its thermal mass advantage plays well with other sustainable aspects of the building, learning of sustainable practice has been a highlight of my degree, a passion I intend to continue to stay true to. On a social note, the Arts Centre celebrates Welsh culture paying homage to the sites historical relationship with the coal industry and its use of sustainable, and naturally sourced Welsh materials and resources. A large open plan atrium stretches the length of the building, light floods in from 5-story high glazing and light steel framed skylights. A green wall occupies the centre of the South elevation and the roof top bar terrace accompanied with a green roof, watered with an irrigation system using water collected from rainwater harvesting, these bright features bring life and colour to surrounding building and improve local biodiversity.


Wedi amrantu a cholli’r tair blynedd diwethaf, dyma fi’n gwenu’n anghrediniol, mae’r teimlad afreal yma’n parhau i olchi drosof a finnau ar bigau drain. Bydd y tair blynedd diwethaf yn aros yn brofiad cofiadwy ac annwyl, byddaf yn eu cadw’n agos wrth i mi symud ymlaen gyda fy ngyrfa’n Dechnolegydd Pensaernïol. Mae’r brifysgol wedi cael effaith fawr yn academaidd ac yn broffesiynol, gan ddysgu sgiliau a gwybodaeth newydd i mi yn fy nisgyblaeth ddewisol yn ogystal ag ar sbectrwm ehangach. Yn bwysicaf oll mae fy mhrofiad addysg uwch ym Met Caerdydd wedi gadael i mi dyfu’n ddirfodol, cwrdd â phobl newydd, meithrin cyfeillgarwch, ac ymdrochi yn ein Prifddinas amlddiwylliant a fu’n amhrisiadwy.

Yn gyntaf oll, hoffwn ddisgrifio fy nghynllun ar gyfer Canolfan Gelfyddydau Bae Caerdydd fel cydweithrediad y profiadau hyn. Drwy weithio gyda chynlluniau llawr presennol, roedd cyfle i weithredu’r holl sgiliau rwy wedi’u magu dros y prosiectau blaenorol, cyfle i ganolbwyntio ar feysydd a ystyriwyd o’r blaen fel manylion adeiladu a sgiliau cyflwyno. Wedi gweithio gyda fframiau pren a dur o’r blaen, cydiais yn y cyfle i ddylunio gyda ffrâm concrit wedi’i ffitio. Mae mantais ei fas thermol yn cyd-fynd yn dda ag agweddau cynaliadwy eraill yr adeilad, mae dysgu arfer cynaliadwy wedi bod yn uchafbwynt fy ngradd, angerdd rwy’n bwriadu parhau i’w barchu. Ar nodyn cymdeithasol, mae’r Ganolfan Gelfyddydau yn dathlu diwylliant Cymru gan dalu teyrnged i berthynas y safle â’r diwydiant glo a defnydd deunyddiau ac adnoddau Cymreig cynaliadwy, o ffynonellau naturiol. Mae atriwm cynllun agored mawr yn estyn hyd yr adeilad, mae goleuni’n llifo i mewn o wydriad 5-llawr o uchder a ffenestri to â fframiau dur ysgafn. Mae mur werdd yng nghanol gwedd de a theras bar ar y to ynghyd â tho gwyrdd, wedi’i ddyfrhau gan system sy’n casglu dŵr glaw, mae’r nodweddion llachar hyn yn dod â bywyd a lliw i’r adeilad o’u cwmpas ac yn gwella bioamrywiaeth leol.

Other Exhibitors:

William Keefe

William Keefe

As part of my assignment, I have been tasked with designing a hotel. The site, located in Cardiff Bay, offers great potential in terms of views as it overlooks the bay itself . The hotel shall accommodate a maximum of 240 guests across 8 storeys of accommodation. The...

Ana Julie Foseid Bjerke

Ana Julie Foseid Bjerke

I am a 3rd year Architectural Design & Technology student, who loves to interact with others and combine knowledge to seek better solutions for all. An environmentalist who believes the use of biophilic design could be a potential tool to combat Carbon emissions...

Sokborisak Chea

Sokborisak Chea

This construction design is about hotel design at Cardiff Bay which I called "The Cardiff Bay Hotel". It is a 10-storey 4 stars hotel that will ccommodate around 100 to 300 guests. I needed to make sure that the hotel is sustainable so I use the green wall and the...

Wojciech Kwiatkowski

Wojciech Kwiatkowski

The Green Dock hotel is a luxurious 4-star hotel providing all the necessary facilities for a restful break. The hotel’s facilities include a spa, gym, pool, and large indoor event area. The hotel also features a restaurant which is open to the public. Capable of...

Tristan McFarlane

Tristan McFarlane

I'm Tristan and I live in Chester. I started at Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2019. Along with this degree I have also played for Cardiff Met RUFC. This is my final year project which is to design a four star double height podium hotel located at Cardiff Bay. The...

David Gunn

David Gunn

I’m David Gunn, I am an Architectural Design and Technology student passionate about sustainable design and innovative construction. For my final year project, I have designed a 10 storey 4* hotel called the Nautica. The hotel features a conference room, spa...