SHORT STOREY FOR NEW CENTRAL LIBRARY

19-08-2009

Birmingham’s new £193 million Central Library has lost a floor before its even been built. A detailed planning application due to go public tomorrow reveals that the originally proposed eleven storey building has now been reduced to ten.

Dutch architects Mecannoo have made the change following an initial period of consultation, but say the overall floor area will remain unchanged thanks to better use of the internal space.

The designs also show plans to have publicly accessible terraces on the third and seventh floors offering views across the city, while a “brown roof” is designed to provide a natural wildlife habitat.

At the top of the building, the aluminium-clad rotunda will have a glass facade offering views south across Centenary Square and the city beyond.

It will also house ‘The Shakespeare Memorial Room’ – retained from the city’s previous Victorian library – featuring original 19th Century fixtures, fittings and materials and suitable for small events and receptions.

There now follows a 28 day consultation period where members of the public can submit comments to the planning committee.

Further detailed design work is still continuing, with the completion of the next design stage (Stage D) scheduled for September.

Copies of the planning submission can be viewed from Thursday 20th August online here or by visiting the Council’s planning department in the city centre at 9th floor, Alpha Tower, Suffolk Street.

A further copy will be available for review on an appointment basis by contacting the archives desk at Central Library.

To see the full application, click here.