Library of Birmingham | Centenary Square | 60m | U/C

[feltip]

Through my blog. Asked permission following talking to them via Twitter.

[Sandblast]

Originally Posted by JayPeeDee

Beautiful in town today, library looking good too. The photos can't embrace just how imposing and impressive this is:

image hosted on flickr

20130606_132940 by jaypeedee73, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

20130606_133102 by jaypeedee73, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

20130606_133401 by jaypeedee73, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

20130606_133353 by jaypeedee73, on Flickr

JayPeeDee ... the last image with Alpha Tower on is one of the best pictures of Birmingham I have ever seen, truly! Well done!

[jrawle]

Originally Posted by feltip

Great photos, feltip.

I asked before about the pattern on the relaid square. It's clear that it's being relaid to match the existing, but not the same as it was before construction started. The zigzag pattern now continues between the entrance to the library and the amphitheatre. When the Spirit and Enterprise fountain was there, there was a sort of diamond pattern next to it:



Also, it seems unlikely that they will be reinstating the plinth where Forward! stood. Actually, it would be nice if they could reinstall Spirit and Enterprise in place of Forward. I'm not sure if that's possible with the railway tunnel running close underneath.

As for the roof garden, there are clearly lots of seating areas, but there also appears to be some sort of counter at the front in the middle. It looks like a library issue desk. Does anyone know what this will be for?

[BlackCountryAl]

Originally Posted by Sandblast

JayPeeDee ... the last image with Alpha Tower on is one of the best pictures of Birmingham I have ever seen, truly! Well done!

A bit off topic here but i do think alpha tower is in need of a reclad some time in the near future, with arena central slowly but surely starting and paradise circus too. Something like the old stock exchange tower down in london would do nicely. They were opened around the same time and are both 100m. I wonder if the same architect was used for these two? Alpha tower edged it though in design in my opinion.

Great photos though

[JayPeeDee]

Originally Posted by Sandblast

JayPeeDee ... the last image with Alpha Tower on is one of the best pictures of Birmingham I have ever seen, truly! Well done!

Originally Posted by BlackCountryAl

Great photos though

Thanks very much for the compliments! I was thinking of taking my Nikon with me that day but instead shot everything with my Galaxy S3, pretty impressive for a phone camera and much handier than a bulky DSLR.

[JayPeeDee]

Originally Posted by BlackCountryAl

A bit off topic here but i do think alpha tower is in need of a reclad some time in the near future, with arena central slowly but surely starting and paradise circus too. Something like the old stock exchange tower down in london would do nicely. They were opened around the same time and are both 100m. I wonder if the same architect was used for these two? Alpha tower edged it though in design in my opinion.

Personally I don't think Alpha needs a reclad. It had a clean a few years back IIRC and the quality is very good. The window detail is excellent too.

[BlackCountryAl]

Originally Posted by JayPeeDee

Personally I don't think Alpha needs a reclad. It had a clean a few years back IIRC and the quality is very good. The window detail is excellent too.

Yes i was aware it had a clean a few years ago but i do think the windows are what make this building look dated. And i agree the quality is great considering the quality/design of other buildings from this period.

[SimonTheSoundMan]

From Satnam Rana on twitter:

[Sandblast]

Originally Posted by JayPeeDee

Thanks very much for the compliments! I was thinking of taking my Nikon with me that day but instead shot everything with my Galaxy S3, pretty impressive for a phone camera and much handier than a bulky DSLR.

On another sunny day when all of that fencing is gone take that picture again .... would do it myself, but live too far away!!!

[JayPeeDee]

Originally Posted by Sandblast

On another sunny day when all of that fencing is gone take that picture again .... would do it myself, but live too far away!!!

Ok, I'll make sure I do!

[Braidy]

Looks like Waterstones.

[ferge]

Finally got a proper look at this yesterday. My friend moved to Birmingham a few months ago, and whenever we visit for the night/weekend you just about get a glimpse of it, but I persisted in asking could we have a walk around the city centre and I managed to get us over to see it .

I really like it (my friends were indifferent at best) I just think it is very uplifting for the area and its busy and complex lattice cladding is a great juxtaposition to the building nextdoor.

[Brummyboy92]

Glad you liked it Ferge, it really is a fantastic building. Pictures do it no justice as far as I'm concerned, much better to be right there in the moment as its so eye catching and dominating to the area. I'm hoping another big construction project can replace it once this is open

[fibrefletch]

Originally Posted by ferge

Finally got a proper look at this yesterday. My friend moved to Birmingham a few months ago, and whenever we visit for the night/weekend you just about get a glimpse of it, but I persisted in asking could we have a walk around the city centre and I managed to get us over to see it .

I really like it (my friends were indifferent at best) I just think it is very uplifting for the area and its busy and complex lattice cladding is a great juxtaposition to the building nextdoor.

Yes, it is a juxta wotsit to the building next door, no doubt. I might just learn to live with the cladding if the Persian rug goes and we have some quality, plain paving, which will also be a juxta wotsit to it.

The block paving pattern is known colloquialy as the 'Persian rug'

[neon18]

Birmingham: Dismantling Shakespeare Memorial Room