January 13 2010

Groundworks have commenced on the site of Birmingham’s on a £193m Library of Birmingham designed by Mecanoo.

The library is designed to be flexible to accommodate evolving digital technologies whilst increasing space and climatic conditions for storage of an extensive collection of bound treasures; including JJ Audubon’s Birds of America, one of the world’s largest books.

Interior spaces are designed as a “linked sequence of events and experiences” comprising a number of rotundas each with its own identity, notably the activity in the Business and Learning Centre to the historic antiques of the Shakespeare Memorial Room.

These forms are continued outside an open air amphitheatre acting as a pedestrian link to Centenary Square.

The scheme elicited muted praise from Cabe who described the design as “compelling”, praising the circulation routes and relationship with its setting.

However this was couched in concern that architectural details remained unresolved.

Campaigners are fighting to preserve John Madin’s existing library from demolition after a decision to list the structure by English Heritage was overruled by government.

The library is scheduled to open for 2013.

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