The Library of Birmingham

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!

How it will look.

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

Aerial photo taken of the current building work.

Current building work, viewed from the ground floor.

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.

Glassdomain teams up with the British Glass Foundation

We at Glassdomain are delighted to be supporting the recently launched British Glass Foundation.

The charity was launched back in November at Hagley Hall in the West Midlands, with the focus on securing the future of glass collections and archives currently held at Broadfield House Glass Museum and Himley Hall.

The Foundation has already established a full board of trustees, which include, Stephen Pollock-Hill, President of British Glass 2010, Charles Hajdamach, Historian author and recognised world authority on British Glass, David Williams-Thomas of the Stevens & Williams glass family of Stourbridge and Graham Knowles, Chairman of British Glass Foundation and President of Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum.

The collections and archives housed at Broadfield House Glass Museum and Himley Hall are a national treasure and the British Glass Foundation believe in these uncertain economic times, should not disappear from public view, more of the collections should be available and the existing facility should not be downgraded. The collections should have a worthy home and reflect the rich history of Stourbridge Glass, as well as being a beacon of glassmaking, design, architecture, conservation, acquisitions, education and tourism.

As well as Glassdomain, the British Glass Foundation is backed by many organisations such as, The Glass Association, The Glass Circle, Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum, Scottish Glass Society, Contemporary Glass Society, Glass Collaborations, British Glass Federation and the Chairman of the British Society of Scientific Glassblowers to name but a few.

Many museums, scholars, glass artists, collectors and researchers across the world are keeping a keen interest in the future of the glass collections including, the V&A in London and the Corning Museum of Glass in New York.

Their mission statement

“The British Glass Foundation will create the national lead to promote, educate and inspire visitors to the rich 400 year history of Stourbridge Glass. We aim to secure the future of the collections and archives, and work with Dudley and Staffordshire Council to find a suitable and worthy home for the legacy that is British Glass. “

The charity was launched in November at Hagley Hall