New Birmingham Library

[Sandblast]

Very, very, different ..... but very, very good indeed. 9/10

[Cherguevara]

Originally Posted by i_like_concrete

There are loads of buildings with overhangs in the world, all built before the examples you listed, Birmingham's current central library for example, so they're unoriginal too then are they?

If you think all architecture must be radically different from everything else in the world then you'll never be satisfied because :shock horror: PEOPLE ARE INFLUENCED BY AND SHARE GOOD IDEAS. Yeah but that must be a bad thing.

You're talking about the Hive that has no information whatsoever regarding this similar cladding you're referring to, no pictures no nothing other than what appears to be a thoroughly run of the mill concrete building? Ever seen the Arab institute in Paris? It's a wonderful piece of architecture, and one which I suspect may have had an influence on the cladding of this, not the Islamic overtones but in the detail and ornate delicacy of it, does that make it unoriginal? Because it shares themes with other pieces of architecture?

I dunno if you've been to Birmingham, or like actually seen the world, but this library is different in all the ways that count, it has cladding that uniquely represents Birmingham's heritage, being the largest public library in this country, housing some of the most modern facilities of any public library, having roof terraces open to the public, the list goes on. I'm sure you'll give me a list of Manchester buildings with roof terraces now because good ideas aren't what count, looking totally different to everything else is more important obvs.

I was merely using things I've seen or have seen proposals for that incorporate something similar. It's not to attack this design. I was just refuting the point that it was in some way an incredibly radical departure from all that has gone before. Things don't have to be innovative to be good, but they do have to innovate to be innovative. As a library it might be,

In terms of the decoration I don't think it's delicate enough. The reason I mentioned the Hive is because in the initial specification (which will probably be value engineered out by time of construction) they were planning on having an international artist design a similar screen (on an admittedly much less well formed building) that represented something of the city. Having looked it up the Arab Institute seems a much better example of what I was trying to say. There the decoration says something about the contents, here it says nothing. Now it doesn't have to, but I think it should.

Anyway, I've said enough. You lot are getting a nice building. It's not perfect but it's good and I don't want to piss anyone off anymore than I apparently already have.

[Brum X]

This is your opinion and thats fine, a building like this will always get mixed responses. Im not too sure at the moment and rated it a 7/10. Exactly the same responses were made when everybody saw the renders of Selfridges back in the late 90s

[Bel Ludovic]

I really want to like it but I'm afraid I can't warm to it - at least, not yet. I just think it's too big and overbearing so the site, especially given the height of the neighbouring buildings. Its exposed position on an open space as large as Centenary Square only serves to reinforce its problematic scale.

[Sandblast]

Originally Posted by Bel Ludovic

I really want to like it but I'm afraid I can't warm to it - at least, not yet. I just think it's too big and overbearing so the site, especially given the height of the neighbouring buildings. Its exposed position on an open space as large as Centenary Square only serves to reinforce its problematic scale.

A BIG public space needs a BIG building. Directly opposite on the other side of Centenery Square is Alpha Tower, & eventually, (hopefully) the V Building - so it will look quite small in comparison.

[ferge]

As I said on the City talk thread.. it is fair to say that this design is a little 'out there'
I still can't make my mind up with it, but thats because it seems almost unprecedented. I can't recall any building that looks like it (but maybe there are a good few), certainly not in the UK mind, and for that.. it is what our cities needs.

If our cities ever want to get out of the shadows of the capital we need to push that extra bit more to create stunning urban environments. I imagine it'd be a superb place to hang about on a sunny day in between shopping. Plus like I said on the other thread, to have this, the Cube and Selfridges all within one city, it gives Birmingham a hell of a pedigree.

Plus, it makes its neighbour look that ever so little bit more fantastic.

[NothingBetterToDo]

I love this building, i've not seen anything quite like it and they seem to have carried it off very well.

The public space looks great too - nice one Birmingham!!

Will they be starting it any time soon?

[henry hill]

10/10

[Regeneration is cool]

birmingham city where the roads gritty. i hate rap

[Bachy Soletanche]

Since it's been bumped...




image hosted on flickr


Not sure, but there may have been some photo editing of that one..

[Sandblast]

Until you stand in front of this, you don't get the sense of how big this building is in pictures alone .... and how close it looks to the computerised renders. Wonderful addition to Birmingham's cityscape.

[clarky]

Looking good this one 9/10

[jrb]

I'm warming to it. Yes!

However, I do think the fantastic cladding saves what is a rather uninspiring building/shape.

[Sandblast]

Originally Posted by jrb

I'm warming to it. Yes!

However, I do think the fantastic cladding saves what is a rather uninspiring building/shape.

Have a look up close jrb, it is an extremely impressive building, square or not, and it oozes quality. A tour of the inside by Midlands Today a couple of days ago gave an insight how hugely important this building will be to Birmingham and the Midlands .... one of the largest cultural buildings under construction in Europe at the moment, which will be Europes largest public library, and the most important cultural building built in this country so far this century.

I am 'pro-Birmingham' naturally, but this will be a stunning building inside and out.