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The 2k Armadillo | |
 Clyde Auditorium as seen from Pacific Quay, 2009 | |
 Interactive map of SEC Armadillo | |
| Former names | Clyde Auditorium(1994–2017) |
|---|---|
| Address | Finnieston Street Glasgow G3 8YW |
| Location | Glasgow, Scotland, UK |
| Coordinates | 55°51′34″N4°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; 30 years ago (1995-09) |
| Built | September 1995; 30 years ago (1995-09) to August 1997; 28 years ago (1997-08) |
| Opened | 7 September 1997; 28 years ago (1997-09-07) |
| Construction cost | £30 million |
| Architect | Foster and Partners |
| Structural engineer | Arup Group |
| Website | |
| Venue Info (Scottish Event Campus) | |
TheSEC Armadillo (originally known as theClyde Auditorium) is anauditorium located near theRiver Clyde, inGlasgow, Scotland.[1] It is one of three venues on the Scottish Event Campus, which includes theSEC Centre and theOVO Hydro.[2]
Plans for a new building to increase the capacity of the SECC complex were initiated in 1994. Designed by architectsFoster 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 theanimal of the same name.
Many comparisons have been made with theSydney Opera House, although this was not the architects' inspiration for the design, which was in fact an interlocking series of ship'shulls, 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 theSEC Centre, and theCrowne Plaza hotel for easy access and exit for performers.
The building has held events, such as the Scottish auditions ofBritain's Got Talent2008 to2010 where SingerSusan Boyle was discovered,[3] the auditions for thefirstfoureditionsofThe X Factor[citation needed] and theHugo Award ceremony during Interaction, the63rd World Science Fiction Convention.[citation needed]
The building served as the venue for theweightlifting competitions of the2014 Commonwealth Games, held in Glasgow.[citation needed] In the season of Christmas, the Armadillo is used forpantomimes.[citation needed].
