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| The 2k Armadillo | |
 Clyde Auditorium as seen from Pacific Quay, 2009 | |
| Former names | Clyde Auditorium (1994–2017) |
|---|---|
| Address | Finnieston Street Glasgow G3 8YW Scotland |
| Location | Scottish Event Campus |
| Coordinates | 55°51′34″N 4°17′17″W / 55.859496°N 4.287962°W / 55.859496; -4.287962 |
| Public transit | Exhibition Centre railway station |
| Owner | Scottish Event Campus Limited |
| Capacity | 3,000 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | September 1995; 29 years ago (1995-09) |
| Built | September 1995; 29 years ago (1995-09) to August 1997; 27 years ago (1997-08) |
| Opened | 7 September 1997; 27 years ago (1997-09-07) |
| Construction cost | £30 million |
| Architect | Foster and Partners |
| Structural engineer | Arup Group |
| Website | |
| Venue Info (Scottish Event Campus) | |
The SEC Armadillo (originally known as the Clyde Auditorium) is an auditorium located near the River Clyde, in Glasgow, Scotland. It is one of three venues on the Scottish Event Campus, which includes the SEC Centre and the OVO Hydro.
History
Plans for a new building to increase the capacity of the SECC complex were initiated in 1994. Designed by architects Foster and Partners, construction of the 3,000 seat venue started in September 1995, and was completed in August 1997, by which time it had earned its affectionate nickname, due to the similarity of its shape to that of the animal of the same name.
Many comparisons have been made with the Sydney Opera House, although this was not the architects' inspiration for the design, which was in fact an interlocking series of ship's hulls, in reference to the Clyde's shipbuilding heritage.
The building is approximately 40 metres (131 feet) tall and has become one of the most recognisable on Clydeside and an iconic image of Glasgow. It is connected by passageways to the SEC Centre, and the Crowne Plaza hotel for easy access and exit for performers.
Events
The building has held events, such as the Scottish auditions of Britain's Got Talent 2008 to 2010 where Singer Susan Boyle was discovered, the auditions for the first four editions of The X Factor and the Hugo Award ceremony during Interaction, the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention.
The building served as the venue for the weightlifting competitions of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, held in Glasgow. In the season of Christmas, the Armadillo is used for pantomimes..
References
- "All change as SECC is renamed the Scottish Event Campus". Evening Times. Newsquest (Herald & Times). 27 January 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
- SEC Armadillo www.whatsonglasgow.co.uk. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- "Susan Boyle in return to Glasgow venue where Britain's Got Talent journey began". 21 January 2020.
External links
- Scottish Event Campus
- Photographs of the (Armadillo) Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow InGlasgow.com (Archived)
- SECC Armadillo features in Delhi Clyde Waterfront, 15 October 2010
- 1997 establishments in Scotland
- 2014 Commonwealth Games venues
- Buildings and structures completed in 1997
- Culture in Glasgow
- Exhibition and conference centres in Scotland
- Foster and Partners buildings
- High-tech architecture
- Lattice shell structures
- Music venues completed in 1997
- Music venues in Glasgow
- Tourist attractions in Glasgow