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

i_like_concrete · January 3rd, 2010, 10:30 PM

It needs its own thread.

Some selected views

[img]http://*************************/birmingham/jpgs/birmingham_library_bq261109_bcc1.jpg[/img]

pharmj · January 3rd, 2010, 11:44 PM

Must admit, I am really not sure about this one. It looks as though they are replacing one box with another. This is a fairly sensitive site in terms of the surroundings. In terms of the massing of the building, big reservations, it all seems out of proportion. The finish and rendering could make or break this design.

I really hope it looks better than the renders do. Birmingham is at risk of being a very cubey 90degree city..

What are the plans for the old site? New building?

smysticed · January 4th, 2010, 12:57 AM

Thanks for starting the thread. I am looking forward to this! I think it will end up being something special and will be a real landmark building for the city. I can also see it and the CUBE acting as good counterpoints to each other, both cuboid but strikingly interesting buildings staring at each other across the city. And I don't think there is too much risk of Birmingham becoming cubey, at least not any more than any other cities. We are already famous for our blobular Selfridges building anyway, and our planned 200m tower is cylindrical

Gherkin · January 4th, 2010, 02:40 AM

I'm terrified. Baskerville house on the right is one of my favourite buildings in Birmingham and it will be completely dwarfed by this thing. You've got to worry about the final outcome when a building doesn't look good in the expensive, glossy renderings.

When will work start? Is there a timetable online? And did this get through planning easily?

funkydory · January 4th, 2010, 12:20 PM

Where the 'old' one will have been, are they going to put back in the Victorian Library, Easy Row and the ornate 'Woodman' pub?

i_like_concrete · January 4th, 2010, 01:56 PM

No.

***woodhousen*** · January 4th, 2010, 03:55 PM

can anyone refresh my memory of the planning application number for this?

WintrySarcasm · January 4th, 2010, 05:21 PM

2009/03897/PA

WintrySarcasm · January 4th, 2010, 05:58 PM

Apologies if these have been seen before, from the amended planning application

Erebus555 · January 4th, 2010, 06:20 PM

I think those are the first near-renders of the interior we've seen. They really help you to understand what the space will feel like inside. It looks stunning.

I can't wait to see this beauty rise.

i_like_concrete · January 4th, 2010, 06:29 PM

This will easily be one of Birmingham's best. I can't wait!

***woodhousen*** · January 4th, 2010, 07:05 PM

i still cant help but be impressed with this scheme.... the internal spaces appear so open, with ceilings at some points being 3 storeys high!

one thing that does suprise me infact is how well the structure sits next to baskerville house when you come out of paradise circus...

in my opinion, this show the strength of building which step back from street in still having an impact but lessening their dominance on the streetscape (or in this case square-scape)

i_like_concrete · January 4th, 2010, 07:08 PM

I was going to mention that woody, I hope that render puts to rest the nonsensical argument that this will have a detrimental impact on Centenary Square and Baskerville House.

Spread · January 4th, 2010, 07:39 PM

I agree it is nice that they have matched the height of the podium to Baskerville. I have warmed to the design seeing these renders.

WintrySarcasm · January 4th, 2010, 07:51 PM

Nacho · January 4th, 2010, 08:27 PM

Thanks for the renders WS .The last image looks great .

***woodhousen*** · January 4th, 2010, 09:19 PM

love the single token tree in the ampitheatre...... very nice

DE51GNR · January 4th, 2010, 11:46 PM

Wrong location for me....................and lose the Copthorne too

Erebus555 · January 4th, 2010, 11:58 PM

Perfect location.

And the Copthorne'll be going, I reckon.

delores · January 5th, 2010, 12:15 AM

Looks great but the square as I have said before is letting down this building.

January 3rd, 2010, 10:30 PM	#1
i_like_concrete cockney sparrow Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London Posts: 3,359 Likes (Received): 58	Library of Birmingham \| Centenary Square \| 60m \| U/C It needs its own thread. Some selected views [img]http://***********************/birmingham/jpgs/birmingham_library_bq261109_bcc1.jpg[/img] __________________ Mother earth couldn't give a shit about your iphone or social networking strategy Flickr Pinterest** Last edited by i_like_concrete; January 3rd, 2010 at 11:34 PM.

January 3rd, 2010, 11:44 PM	#2
pharmj Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gloucester/Nottingham Posts: 2,066 Likes (Received): 4	Must admit, I am really not sure about this one. It looks as though they are replacing one box with another. This is a fairly sensitive site in terms of the surroundings. In terms of the massing of the building, big reservations, it all seems out of proportion. The finish and rendering could make or break this design. I really hope it looks better than the renders do. Birmingham is at risk of being a very cubey 90degree city.. What are the plans for the old site? New building? __________________ Gloucester City Regeneration -A new beginning

January 4th, 2010, 12:57 AM	#3
smysticed SSC Geek Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coventry and Birmingham Posts: 2,450 Likes (Received): 1	Thanks for starting the thread. I am looking forward to this! I think it will end up being something special and will be a real landmark building for the city. I can also see it and the CUBE acting as good counterpoints to each other, both cuboid but strikingly interesting buildings staring at each other across the city. And I don't think there is too much risk of Birmingham becoming cubey, at least not any more than any other cities. We are already famous for our blobular Selfridges building anyway, and our planned 200m tower is cylindrical __________________ There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary and those who don't.

January 4th, 2010, 12:20 PM	#5
funkydory OneWorld Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: W'hampton(UK)/Kingston,Jamaica/Nairobi,Kenya Posts: 382 Likes (Received): 0	Where the 'old' one will have been, are they going to put back in the Victorian Library, Easy Row and the ornate 'Woodman' pub? __________________ Don't let people take away your history. or they will take away your future. (C)Funkydory Cinema, theatre and transport memories. The world over.

January 4th, 2010, 01:56 PM	#6
i_like_concrete cockney sparrow Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London Posts: 3,359 Likes (Received): 58	No. __________________ Mother earth couldn't give a shit about your iphone or social networking strategy Flickr Pinterest

January 4th, 2010, 02:40 AM	#4
Gherkin actual gherkin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leeds Posts: 13,743 Likes (Received): 161	I'm terrified. Baskerville house on the right is one of my favourite buildings in Birmingham and it will be completely dwarfed by this thing. You've got to worry about the final outcome when a building doesn't look good in the expensive, glossy renderings. When will work start? Is there a timetable online? And did this get through planning easily?

January 4th, 2010, 03:55 PM	#7
*woodhousen* Moderator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Leeds/Birmingham, UK Posts: 10,843 Likes (Received): 2	can anyone refresh my memory of the planning application number for this? __________________ Simply BIRMINGHAM Last edited by woodhousen; January 4th, 2010 at 04:09 PM.

January 4th, 2010, 05:21 PM	#8
WintrySarcasm Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 333 Likes (Received): 0	2009/03897/PA

January 4th, 2010, 05:58 PM	#9
WintrySarcasm Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 333 Likes (Received): 0	Apologies if these have been seen before, from the amended planning application

January 4th, 2010, 06:20 PM	#10
Erebus555 It's Sting. So What? Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bristol Posts: 31,246 Likes (Received): 4	I think those are the first near-renders of the interior we've seen. They really help you to understand what the space will feel like inside. It looks stunning. I can't wait to see this beauty rise. __________________ The UK Housing Wiki - Attempting to document every tower block, council estate, private estate, housing association, tower block construction/ demolition method, tower block architect, tower block construction company... etc etc, in the UK. Everything to do with postwar residences! - Please join and help! EREBUS - OFFICIAL MOD CANDIDATE 2011 - BRITISH MODS FOR BRITISH PEOPLE!

January 4th, 2010, 06:29 PM	#11
i_like_concrete cockney sparrow Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London Posts: 3,359 Likes (Received): 58	This will easily be one of Birmingham's best. I can't wait! __________________ Mother earth couldn't give a shit about your iphone or social networking strategy Flickr Pinterest

January 4th, 2010, 07:05 PM	#12
*woodhousen* Moderator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Leeds/Birmingham, UK Posts: 10,843 Likes (Received): 2	i still cant help but be impressed with this scheme.... the internal spaces appear so open, with ceilings at some points being 3 storeys high! one thing that does suprise me infact is how well the structure sits next to baskerville house when you come out of paradise circus... in my opinion, this show the strength of building which step back from street in still having an impact but lessening their dominance on the streetscape (or in this case square-scape) __________________ Simply BIRMINGHAM

January 4th, 2010, 07:08 PM	#13
i_like_concrete cockney sparrow Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London Posts: 3,359 Likes (Received): 58	I was going to mention that woody, I hope that render puts to rest the nonsensical argument that this will have a detrimental impact on Centenary Square and Baskerville House. __________________ Mother earth couldn't give a shit about your iphone or social networking strategy Flickr Pinterest

January 4th, 2010, 07:39 PM	#14
Spread Brummie & Proud Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Birmingham Posts: 1,647 Likes (Received): 34	I agree it is nice that they have matched the height of the podium to Baskerville. I have warmed to the design seeing these renders.

January 4th, 2010, 07:51 PM	#15
WintrySarcasm Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 333 Likes (Received): 0

January 4th, 2010, 08:27 PM	#16
Nacho Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,675 Likes (Received): 5	Thanks for the renders WS .The last image looks great .

January 4th, 2010, 09:19 PM	#17
*woodhousen* Moderator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Leeds/Birmingham, UK Posts: 10,843 Likes (Received): 2	love the single token tree in the ampitheatre...... very nice __________________ Simply BIRMINGHAM

January 4th, 2010, 11:46 PM	#18
DE51GNR Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 189 Likes (Received): 3	Wrong location for me....................and lose the Copthorne too

January 4th, 2010, 11:58 PM	#19
Erebus555 It's Sting. So What? Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bristol Posts: 31,246 Likes (Received): 4	Perfect location. And the Copthorne'll be going, I reckon. __________________ The UK Housing Wiki - Attempting to document every tower block, council estate, private estate, housing association, tower block construction/ demolition method, tower block architect, tower block construction company... etc etc, in the UK. Everything to do with postwar residences! - Please join and help! EREBUS - OFFICIAL MOD CANDIDATE 2011 - BRITISH MODS FOR BRITISH PEOPLE!

January 5th, 2010, 12:15 AM	#20
delores Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 4,570 Likes (Received): 25	Looks great but the square as I have said before is letting down this building.

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