SEVEN INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTS SHORTLISTED FOR £193 MILLION NEW LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAM DEVELOPMENT

19 May 2008

Seven internationally renowned architectural practices have been shortlisted for the development of the new Library of Birmingham, integrated with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre (REP) - four based in the UK, two from the Netherlands and one from Denmark.

They are: Foster + Partners, Foreign Office Architects, Hopkins Architects, Mecanoo, OMA, Schmidt Hammer Lassen and Wilkinson Eyre. The winning architect will be announced this summer.

The new development will replace the current 1970s building and will bring together the Library of Birmingham and REP in a prime site on Centenary Square to create one of the most outstanding cultural centres in the world. The development will provide state of the art facilities for the busiest public library in Europe, a new frontage for the theatre and a number of shared amenities, including a new medium sized auditorium within the £193 million budget.

Birmingham City Council Leader, Councillor Mike Whitby, said: “The announcement of the shortlist is a truly exciting phase in this project and a major milestone on the road to delivering a world class library in Birmingham. I am delighted at the quality of the practices which have come forward to join us in this landmark project to turn our vision for the library into reality.”

Foster + Partners (UK)
Foreign Office Architects (UK)
Hopkins Architects (UK)
Mecanoo (Netherlands)
OMA (Netherlands)
Schmidt Hammer Lassen (Denmark)
Wilkinson Eyre (UK)

Winner:Mecanoo - Library of Birmingham

Birmingham Library
Shortlist of 7 practices for new building, Mar 2008:
Foreign Office Architects, Foster + Partners, Hopkins, Mecanoo, OMA, Schmidt Hammer Lassen, Wilkinson Eyre
Est. £193m

Birmingham City Council Library
2008-13
Birmingham City Council proposal to appoint “world-class” architect for new 31,000sqm Central Library announed mid-Oct 2007. To be located in Centenary Square, sharing facilities with adjacent Birmingham Rep Theatre.

In 2006 there was an architecture competition with Adjaye Associates, Glen Howells and make - they created concept designs for a Birmingham library.

Richard Rogers Partnership £180m Eastside library scheme dropped in 2005 by Conservative / Lib Dem council. The new project incl. demolition of the existing Central Library.

Central Library
1974
John Madin



Delft, 1 April 2008
Mecanoo shortlisted for largest Library of the U.K.

Mecanoo architecten in Delft, The Netherlands has been shortlisted in the international competition to design the prestigious new Library of Birmingham. The 31,000 m2 building is to become ‘the best public library of the world’. The current library designed by John Madin in the seventies is the most visited library in the U.K. and is no longer fit for its purpose. The Library is a major transformation project that will support social and economic regeneration in the city. The new Library will link up with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and share existing facilities and also a new 300 seat auditorium, resulting in an international centre for knowledge, learning and culture. The project budget is £193 million.

"Seven internationally renowned architectural practices have been short-listed from more than 100 worldwide. Their reputations for designing high-profile, iconic landmark buildings are what resulted in their selection. The announcement of the shortlist today is a major milestone on the road to delivering a world class library in Birmingham", said Birmingham council leader Mike Whitby, announcing the shortlist on Thursday, March 27.

Shortlisted practices include prominent names such as Foster + Partners, OMA, Hopkins, Mecanoo, Foreign Office Architects, Schmidt Hammer Lassen and Wilkinson Eyre. A winner will be announced in August 2008. Realization of the Library is planned in March 2013.

Birmingham Library
original proposal by Richard Rogers Partnership

Birmingham buildings : 11 Brindleyplace

Other examples of Birmingham Architecture welcome



World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe

City Park Gate Birmingham architects : make

Birmingham New Street Competition

English Architecture

Comments / photos for the Birmingham Library Architecture Competition page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk

Birmingham Library Shortlist - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt