real time web analytics
Report - - Central Library, Birmingham - February 2015 | Other Sites | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Report - Central Library, Birmingham - February 2015

Hide this ad by donating or subscribing !

Seffy

SWC
Staff member
Moderator
Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham

Birmingham Central Library was the main public library in Birmingham, England from 1974 until 2013. For a time the largest non-national library in Europe, it closed on 29 June 2013 and was replaced with the Library of Birmingham. The existing building was due to be demolished early in 2015 after 41 years, as part of the redevelopment of Paradise Circus by Argent Group. Designed by architect, John Madin in the brutalist style, the library was part of an ambitious development project by Birmingham City Council to create a civic centre on its new Inner Ring Road system; however due to economic reasons significant parts of the masterplan were not completed and quality was reduced on materials as an economic measure. Two previous libraries occupied the adjacent site before Madin’s library opened in 1974. The previous library was opened in 1883 and was designed by John Henry Chamberlain featuring a tall clerestoried reading room, this was demolished in 1974 after the new library had opened.

Despite the original vision not being fully implemented the library has gained architectural praise as an icon of British Brutalism with its stark use of concrete, bold geometry, inverted ziggurat sculptural form and monumental scale. Its style was seen at the time as a symbol of social progressivism. Based on this, English Heritage applied and failed twice for the building to gain listed status. However, due to strong opposition from Birmingham City Council the building gained immunity from listing until 2016.

In 2010–11 Central Library was the second most visited library in the country with 1,197,350 visitors.

Probably the quickest I've ever edited any of my photos... Seemed appropriate to have a massive sesh this evening.

As we were in Birmingham for the forum festivities, we thought we should check out some of the abandoned establishments that the city had to offer, naturally... This hadn't been on the 'to do' list originally, but as we were driving back to the hotel in the centre, I remembered that this one was still standing, and knew that it had limited time left doing so. Not expecting to actually get in, we went for a walk around it, and it would seem that on this particular day, luck happened to be on our side.

It's fairly stripped all in all, but had some decent bits left, like the archives right at the top and the old Victorian spiral staircase leading up to them. It is rather large though, and having free reign on the place was pretty cool. The roof also had some semi-good views of the central area, with the new library just over the road.

A place where books are incinerated, not kept... - Prince Charles, Oct 1988

Cheers to WhoDaresWins and Monkey for the laughs - UE UE UE

16498418988_c1118aed18_c.jpg


16063680214_dd246efb51_c.jpg


16063682034_0e89a6f13a_c.jpg


16684667081_ff984bc909_c.jpg


16498621730_136ffbbbb9_c.jpg


16684679111_cfe5e56ae6_c.jpg


16684995162_8f15d98125_c.jpg


16066071243_55076f21d2_c.jpg


16660073756_9a97d47d9f_c.jpg


16684677411_0aefbf0ca1_c.jpg


16684993292_430f548f3c_c.jpg


16660072196_aaacc0260f_c.jpg


16686014825_fce703e666_c.jpg


16660071146_b2a622d823_c.jpg


16498617240_4afe9dcc49_c.jpg


16684673611_0d8b69e4b7_c.jpg


16684990512_c690e8ff4c_c.jpg


16063687964_df7bdff54c_c.jpg


16684673171_bc42c7a79c_c.jpg


16499876199_f49ef3fdc0_c.jpg


16066065473_709abf74de_c.jpg


16063682414_e42752f77a_c.jpg


16066064093_123543770e_c.jpg


Libraries - old and new...

16498613850_3237f72f20_c.jpg


16063682894_237d9e0730_c.jpg


16684986402_1fa4b9ff2b_c.jpg


DERP NANDOS!

16478733407_298c170a7f_c.jpg


And SPOONS

16066060503_e6638ff7af_c.jpg


South West repping.
 

The_Raw

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Aw man, wish I'd had a look at this now! Excellent reportage and good to see you guys :thumb
 

ACID- REFLUX

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Nice ones matey :thumb

Looks a good mooch & now i know what the building with cake decorations on is as well, bonus :)
 

tumbles

Drama Queen
Staff member
Moderator
Nice stuff, some lovely concrete architecture in the first few shots.

Did you steal all the nandos cards?
 

Gabe

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Should of come back with you guys during the day but tasty view from the top of an evening for sure.
 

Seffy

SWC
Staff member
Moderator
Did you steal all the nandos cards?

All they had were the cardboard ones, and they don't take those anymore :( I did think to look for them, naturally...

Basement?

We had a seriously good look for one, but all we could find was what I guess you'd call a lower ground floor which was accessed by the main entrance. If anyone else manages to find one, I'll buy you a pint! I dunno, maybe we did mis something...
 

Monkey

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
All they had were the cardboard ones, and they don't take those anymore :( I did think to look for them, naturally...



We had a seriously good look for one, but all we could find was what I guess you'd call a lower ground floor which was accessed by the main entrance. If anyone else manages to find one, I'll buy you a pint! I dunno, maybe we did mis something...

Me and Gabe got down into the entrance bit that looks live with the lights on and beer kegs in. We didn't have time to have a good look around though.
 

urblex

28DL Maverick
28DL Full Member
Great report! Provided it's still standing should hold the next meet up thing in the derp wetherspoons lol.
 
Top