Cardiff Design Festival

Brief

The National Assembly and Graffeg designed and produced a photographic book to explore the Richard Rogers’ designed building, the Senedd. The book needed to encompass all areas of the building, from design to construction, and its function as the seat of Welsh government. Practically, the book had to be accessible to both English and Welsh speakers, and fulfil two roles, functioning as a collector’s item with a limited edition feel, but also available to those who prefer a paperback version.

Result

The finished product has been a huge success. It has received positive reviews from architectural and all major Welsh media leading to excellent sales of the book. Along with its slipcase, the National Assembly for Wales has decided to use the book to represent the country’s seat of governance as a high class gift to UK and overseas politicians and business owners.

Solution

The design of the book fulfils the need for clarity and a balance between illustration and copy. Through close work between designers and photographers, images fit seamlessly alongside extended captions, and double page images examine the architectural detail, symbolism and technology. The book is a window into the Senedd, to be opened and closed at any point, so each spread needs to be viewed as a whole.