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New Birmingham library plans

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I totally agree with you on that one Sue. It upsets me when we go to the area. I still don't like that building and it does overshadow St Martins. I reserve judgement on the library but it still reminds me of a lamp at our club in Wales...not the best look...
 
I know this thread is about the new library, but just to go of topic briefly, does any one think that the new Edgbaston cricket ground resembles a scaled down version of selfridges.
 
At the risk of starting a riot,here's my take on it.
Baskerville house should be demolished,nothing but a square block of concrete.
The library and Selfridges are and will become iconic buildings,don't take any notice of Charlie and his mob.
Once the library and it's landscaped frontage are open it will become a major tourist attraction and meeting spot for all.
It's only my opinion folks.
 
Bernie, you are correct in saying some of the comments are being repeated, i will hold my hand and admit I am guilty of that, its just I am so strongly against it and get a bit carried away, my apologies. Possibly being an 'old fogey' (born in 1930) i do not wish to see the city of my birth change so drastically, would have liked to see some of our older buildings restored/preserved rather than destroyed and replaced with something 'modern, I'm thinking of the old Library, Market Hall to name 2. Perhaps I am living in the past and should be more tolerant towards progress. Eric
 
Not at all Eric we are all entitled to our opinion. I have tried to like the Selfridge building but as the locals call it the silver slug that says it all to me(I hate slugs). Maybe these places will become iconic one day or like the vulgar old library knocked down. Give me The Old Crown Digbeth, St Martins, St Pauls, The Old School House, Baskerville House etc. Like you Eric I feel the city is loosing all it's history by removing these lovely old buildings but thats just my opinion maybe I am a younger old fogey born 1953..ha ha
 
It would be quite interesting to get the opinion of much younger people. What do teenagers and people in their 20s and thirties think of modern buildings? I personally, think that most modern architecture is a blot on the landscape, however, todays youngsters will grow up with them. In 50 years time will they be campaigning against the demolition of the library and Selfridges? (If they last that long.)
 
john knight said:
At the risk of starting a riot,here's my take on it.
Baskerville house should be demolished,nothing but a square block of concrete.
The library and Selfridges are and will become iconic buildings,don't take any notice of Charlie and his mob.
Once the library and it's landscaped frontage are open it will become a major tourist attraction and meeting spot for all.
It's only my opinion folks.
Click to expand...

All healthy debate to me. There's no way in the world we should expect everyone to like the same. And how good that we can freely air a variety of opinions in this country. To have divided opinions over a particular building or style of building is nothing new, was certainly the case in Regency and Victorian times. I'm still struggling a bit with the new library although I think it has a lot more interest architecturally than the brutal 60s building. Good to hear everyone's opinions. Viv.
 
agree with you eric and astonite and wend may i please join your younger old fogeys club lol...thank you lol...

:encouragement: lyn
 
As a young man, I quite like it (I'm 30). I like old buildings too.

I recently saw the Millennium Dome in North Greenwich, London, and was glad to finally see it! Looked amazing.

I also went to the Museum of London last month which is housed in an ugly concrete block!But the contents inside were worth seeing more than the building itself.

So with our new Library of Birmingham, it's the contents inside that matters not what it looks like on the outside.
 
john knight said:
At the risk of starting a riot,here's my take on it.
Baskerville house should be demolished,nothing but a square block of concrete.
The library and Selfridges are and will become iconic buildings,don't take any notice of Charlie and his mob.
Once the library and it's landscaped frontage are open it will become a major tourist attraction and meeting spot for all.
It's only my opinion folks.
Click to expand...

Baskerville house was ruined when that glass top was put on. No one complained about that.
 
Frothblower said:
Your too old for that Lyn
Click to expand...

heard that froth...

a_54-4.gif
 
Well, as an in-between member, I still wish they would keep the old buildings, but would quite like some of the newer ones, in a different place. And yes, it is what is in the buildings that matters at the end of the day.
Sue
 
You can be inspired by great design and even be proud of it..... is anyone inspired ?

Pros = The mosaic design.
Cons= (too many to mention) ... too big, too boxy, wrong place, expensive, not needed, out of character, too bold, too dark.

Apart from that its wonderfull :)
 
After the mini meet at the Bull today, I took mom to see the new library - and to see it myself - bearing in mind she has only seen the planning drwing that was in the Mail - her first comment - "Oh my god" - lol, she really cannot believe it and thinks the designer and the people who approved it should be lined up and shot!! Had to laugh at her reaction, she almost couldn't believe her eyes, then on the way home, said the only thing she could think of that it reminded her of was the wire containers that the boulers and rocks are in at a garden centre piled on top of each other.
Have to say now I have seen it, am not impressed with it either, why the bright yellow gasometer on the top?
Sue
 
oh lol sue i can just imagine moms face..bet it was a picture...as for the gasometer ive no idea...
 
ASTONITE said:
It would be quite interesting to get the opinion of much younger people. What do teenagers and people in their 20s and thirties think of modern buildings? I personally, think that most modern architecture is a blot on the landscape, however, todays youngsters will grow up with them. In 50 years time will they be campaigning against the demolition of the library and Selfridges? (If they last that long.)
Click to expand...
Speaking to my 19year old grandaughter who was 18 at the time about her thoughts on the BullRing she replied:
It's alright. Didn't have any thoughts either way.
And we gave them the vote!!!!
 
A few pictures I took on passing yesterday 10-11-12.

Terry
 

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Ones from this morning (Remembrance Sunday)

Suffolk Street Queensway


Bridge Street


Cambridge Street


I also got some skyline shots from Digbeth

From Clyde Street (off High Street Bordesley - near Renault / Nissan)


Coach Station and beyond to the Bullring
 
I asked two of my grandaughters aged 14 and 12 for their opinion, the 14 year old just said ''awful'' the 12 year old said ''awesome'' but then asked what it was, when I told her sje said ''Oh no, not for a library''. Even young ones seem divided.
Lynne.
 
Looking on the 'bright' side, we have the re-building of New Street Station to look forward to, I am sure it will raise as many comments if not more.
 
Me too Lyn, when we walked up to the library yesterday, I took mom down past St Chads - she had not been there before, but I had, then up past all the new building work onto Colmore Row, she can't believe the changes and said the same where is the old Snow Hill and the steam!
Sue
 
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