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New Birmingham library plans

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sue ive got 2 dvd/s here of derek harrisons history of snow hill station...running time nearly an hour..if you think your mom would like copy i will bring one to the xmas meet for her..just let me know..

lyn
 
I'll put my hands up and admit that I am very fond of the Madin designed "old" library, not for its design but for the hours and hours I spent there in the late 70's. I still miss the music library where you had to take the stylus from your record player to be examined before you could borrow a record! And the listening booths and room,sitting there with huge headphones on and laughing to Goons and Peter Sellers albums I must have looked deolali to onlookers!
I was at the remembrance in Centenary Sq this morning and for the first time noticed the signage on the new library running vertically down the left elevation. Is it just me or is it very hard to see/distinguish "Birmingham City Library" against the background "embellishment" stuck all over the wedding cake design?
 
Thanks for that Guilbert, I was thinking something to do with the heating, dad thought a lift shaft head, now we know - still can't see why it is that horrendous colour though!
Sue
 
Well then thanks guilbert... the insides sound promising.

( Not sure if we have covered this before )... but it would be useful to have the designers background to the design - because sometimes when you get the take on the idea - it sometimes starts to fall into place a bit. Just saying ...
 
Today with a blue sky (November sunshine a day after all that rain), Hall of Memory and Baskerville House



With the Alpha Tower

 
Nice photos. It looks like the new library is a creature from outer space trying to gobble up the hall of memory:disgust:

As modern architecture goes the Alpha Tower is easy on the eye..

Simon
 
Another one, this time with the seasonal ferris wheel



It certainly has! Baskerville house looks tiny compared to the new library!
 
I went past the new building this week in the car for the first time and (despite my earlier comments) I have changed my view. I actually think in real life it looks okay and it is certainly iconic. So Ha and sorry about that guys but thoughts have turned turtle.
 
...... my compliments, Stephen, on your sincerity and strength of character in having so openly expressed your change of heart on this controversial topic. db84124
 
Here it was in the snow on the 18th of Jan



With Baskerville House and the Hall of Memory




The hoardings have mostly come down (I think)
 
Pics from the 5th Feb Tuesday
 

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Thanks for posting the photos Dave. It is so strange I have absolutely no idea if I like it or not! And what is the obsession at the moment of putting gold coloured sections on buildings (also on the recently built Bournville college - at Longbridge!!!).
 
pollypops said:
Thanks for posting the photos Dave. It is so strange I have absolutely no idea if I like it or not! And what is the obsession at the moment of putting gold coloured sections on buildings (also on the recently built Bournville college - at Longbridge!!!).
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hi pol maybe the gold sections are to match the watt..murdoch and boulton statue opposite which in my opinion now looks cheap and tacky...

lyn

wattmurdochboulton_zpsa693b362.jpg
 
Mr William Bloye would turn over in his grave if he saw them now. The work and man hours we took to do them is all wasted. John Crump OldBrit Parker. Colorado US
 
A view from the point of view of Boulton, Watt and Murdoch in May 2012



Bloye's 1956 bronze conversation piece of Boulton, Watt and Murdoch, intended for the Civic Centre scheme. They are grouped discussing drawings, the butt of many jokes, but a skilful solution to relating three standing figures.
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From Pevsner Architectural Guides: Birmingham by Andy Foster.

The gilded bronze statue of Matthew Boulton, James Watt and William Murdoch by William Bloye and Raymond Forbes-Kings stands on a plinth of Portland stone, outside the old Register Office on Broad Street in Birmingham, England. It is known locally as The Golden Boys after its colour, or The Carpet Salesmen after the partially-rolled-up plan of a steam engine which they are examining. All three men were members of the Lunar Society. Sponsored by an £8,000 bequest from Richard Wheatley in 1939, and £7,500 from the City Council, it was unveiled in 1956, from preliminary designs drawn up in 1938. The statue was restored and re-gilded, and replaced in its old position in September 2006.
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Boulton, Watt and Murdoch on Wikipedia

Outside the House of Sport (formerly the Register Office) on Broad Street stands the statue of Boulton, Watt and Murdoch, nicknamed 'The Golden Boys' or 'The Carpet Salesmen'. It is the work of William Bloye, formerly head of sculpture at Birmingham School of Art and was unveiled in 1956, although preliminary designs were drawn up in 1938.

The larger than life size figures are in bronze, with a gold finish, on a pedestal of Portland stone and are depicted discussing engine plans. The piece is in a "temporary" position and was originally intended to stand outside a Planetarium, which was never built, but which would have stood outside what is now the Repertory Theatre.

The three men pioneered the industrial revolution in late 18th century England. James Watt's improvements to the steam engine and William Murdoch's invention of gas lighting have made them famous throughout the world. Matthew Boulton, entrepreneur and industrialist, harnessed their talents in a company that made everything from tableware and copper coinage to steam engines. His home, Soho House, is now a museum. All three men are buried in St Mary's Church Handsworth, known as 'the Westminster Abbey of the Industrial Revolution'.
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Boulton Watt Murdoch
 
hi guys ;
I Keep hearing or should i say i keep reading on the this forum about this new libary that they are building ;
and of peoples thoughts about it ;
so i want to know when i it opening ; if not if its already open and secondly where about is this libary being situated
so i cn come into birmingham centr to either visit it to use or se for myself ;
as i used to used the old libary regular before the closing of it ;
so i really appreciate it if some one could put me in the picture
the last time i came into research and get family birth certif; fr research i was gob smacked by the reg; office had moved
and did not where to find it eventualy i was told where they had moved to and then i walked up old holiday strreet and found it ; and i must admit i was
not impressed with that building ;
but i do hope one of you can put me back on track and fill me in ; please . best wishes astonian;;
 
Is this OK astonian..[TABLE="class: vertical_table"]
[TR]
Address and directions[TD]New Library of Birmingham, Cambridge Street, Birmingham, B1 2NR - The Library of Birmingham site is located within Centenary Square in Birmingham City Centre. The pedestrian access gate to the site and Carillion offices is located in the ICC elevation of the hoarding beside the entrance to the REP Theatre.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
Parking[TD]There is no parking on site.

The site is well served by public transport with Birmingham New Street and Snow Hill Stations only 10mins walk away.
If arriving by car follow direction signs for the NIA & ICC until you reach Paradise Circus then turn into Cambridge Street the most convenient parking is the multi-storey Pay and Display car park on Brindley Drive. In the event of this car park being full there is additional parking at the NIA on King Edwards Road.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 
Good morning frothy
Many thanks for coming on site to inform me of the place where to find this new libary
i have a bussiness office in tyseley but i have never ventured into the city for years i beleive it as all changed from very
dramicicaly from my days back years in tme when i ran a pub in the bull ring so i would probaly never found it ;
as i said it was some time back when i was in search for he old reg office ; i was lost and i did not venture to far into the city ;
was camebridge street behind the hall of memory ; or should i say baskerville house ;
i know of king edwaeds rd because i grew up in the little king edwards rd so i think thats okay ;
i think i will take a camera and see the changes of brum;
as i say i come up to brum via the m5 and the42 through wthall and acros to alcester and fox hollies rd through to tyseley
i never go through cov rd from the air port always the m 5 and 42 to brum ;but never ever go by the city centre for the thought
i would never get around now not knowing the old city as i used to know ;
once again frothy many thanks have a good day ; best wishes alan ;; astonian;
 
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