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New Birmingham library plans

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Thanks for sharing - I have to admit that I want to go look now. Maybe we will have to ignore the outside design!
Wonder how much it cost to have the carpet in the Shakespeare room woven to the 'design'?
Overall I am quite impressed so far.
 
You are right about the metal Mike, It wont affect the inside. (Still don't like it!).
The link froze at about 9 seconds, the view looking over the bannister, hopefully this will help cure my fear of heights too by edging closer gradually!!!!!
rosie.
 
I still think the outside is an abomination and does not fit its surroundings but I was quite impressed with the inside (from the BBC video) particularly the reconstructed Shakespeare memorial Library - that is really the icing on the cake. Eric
 
i agree eric...looks ok inside but only time will tell if the lifts and escalators are maintained better than they were in the old library and the flat roof does not leak and we can only hope that the metal work does not start to rust in five years time...only my opinion again but i cant see why no one thought of designing the facade more in keeping with baskerville house and hall of memory and the inside opening up as it does with a much more modern approach so that the old meets the new..it will be very interesting to get our members feedback after they have visited the library..

lyn
 
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They are saying it's a place for fun and noise in OldMohawk's link. I prefer a bit of peace and quiet to study!! I didn't like the way noise came up from below when students gathered to study at the Library.
It does seem to be nice and light, not sure about patterned shadows, time will tell!!
I was wondering if they had replaced the microfilm readers or fiche machines or will we still be able to use the old decrepit ones? I don't suppose there was enough spare cash after all that extravagant exterior to have new ones?
rosie.
 
Rather read an article that is free to read online. Found many last night.

Here's a couple of pics I took today of yesterdays Mail pullout.
20130830_080754.jpg20130830_081537-1.jpg
 
Suffolk Street Queensway.

Queensway tunnels reopen on the 2nd September. Meaning they have until Sunday to finish all the work!




Gas Street Basin view

 
Golden library. Golden Boulton, Watt & Murdoch (I've taken ones like this before over last few years)




Panoramic with Baskerville House and Hall of Memory

 
Great set of photos Ell. Still struggling with the exterior: too boxy, too architecturally uninspiring, but I do like the mesh cladding. Let's face it though, it doesn't gel with its neighbours and has missed an opportunity to be an improvement on the exterior of the 1960s library. Having said that, the interior looks superb, fit for purpose and has a wonderful reconstructed Shakespeare Room, a significant nod to the history of B'ham Library. The landscaping is good too. Just can't appreciate the boxy thing that's going on outside. But then maybe a visit would change all that; experience it in the flesh, so to speak. Viv.
 
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