As a Birmingham based company with a showroom in the historic Jewellery Quarter, we are extremely excited about the new Library of Birmingham shooting up Centenary Square. The fact that it will be a large transparent glass building further cements the fact we are big fans!
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| How it will look. |
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The project, by architects Mecanoo, began at the design stage in 2008. The construction than began last year and will run through to 2013 when the Library is due to be opened.
Below is what Macanoo have to say about this exciting, major project:
Centenary
Square, the largest public square in the heart of Birmingham, currently
lacks cohesion or a clear identity or atmosphere. Mecanoo’s design
transforms the square into one with three distinct realms: monumental,
cultural and entertainment. These palazzos form an urban narrative of
important periods in the history of the city; The Repertory Theatre
(REP), a 1960s concrete building, the Library of Birmingham, designed in
2009 and Baskerville House, a listed sandstone building designed in
1936. The busiest pedestrian route in the city, what Mecanoo calls the
red line, leads pedestrians into Centenary Square. The cantilever of the
library is not only a large canopy that provides shelter at the common
entrance of the Library of Birmingham and the REP, but additionally
forms a grand city balcony with views of the events and happenings on
the square.
The Library of Birmingham is a transparent glass building. Its delicate
filigree skin is inspired by the artisan tradition of this once
industrial city. Elevators and escalators dynamically placed in the
heart of the library forms connections between the eight circular spaces
within the building. These rotundas play an important role not only in
the routing through the library but also provide natural light and
ventilation. The rooftop rotunda houses the Shakespeare Memorial Room,
designed in 1882. This Victorian reading room is lined with wood from
the first Birmingham Central Library. Its prominent position as a
rooftop aerie makes this delicate room visible from the square. The REP
with its unique and beautiful auditorium will be renovated. New
workshops, staff accommodations and a shared theatre and foyer space
will be created for both the REP and the library.
The Library of Birmingham is a BREEAM excellent rated building and
incorporates grey water systems and ground source heat pumps. Although
the Library is a transparent building, it maintains energy efficiency
through the buffering capacity of the building mass and the atria. Sun
shading and reflective materials within the facades block the harsh rays
of the sun during the height of afternoon while allowing natural
daylight into the interiors. The ground floor benefits from the mass of
the soil which provides buffering and insulation. The circular patio cut
out of the square creates a protected outdoor space and invites
daylight deep into the building. The building will incorporate a mixed
mode and natural ventilation strategy. The façade will respond to
external conditions and openings will allow fresh air intake and
outflow. The addition of soft landscaped roof spaces will further
enhance the immediate surrounding conditions.
mecanoo.nl
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| Aerial photo taken of the current building work. |
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| Current building work, viewed from the ground floor. |
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| How the interior will look when complete. |
One of the main reasons we've opened our first glass furniture showroom in Birmingham is the fact we see this cultural City as being in the middle of some really exciting architectural projects. As well as the Library of Birmingham, New Street Station is going through an extraordinary transformation into a stunning 21st century transport hub. There is also a large renovation project approaching for the Jewellery Quarter, right on our doorstep.
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