Birmingham Central Library: Should it Stay or Should it Go?

Birmingham Central Library: Should it stay or should it go? By Seren Worton

-1-

Contents Acknowledgments List of Illustrations

2 3 4

Part 1: The Context Introduction The Debate Birmingham Central Library (1960s) From Industry to Conventions 9 11 13 17

Part 2: Discussion Repeating the Same Mistakes The Rotunda (1960s) The Rotunda (2000) The Cost of Renovation The Bullring (1960s) The Bullring A Question of Space The Mailbox The Cube Part 3: Conclusions Should it Stay or Go? 63 22 25 28 26 39 44 48 51 56

Bibliography Appendix

67 81

-2-

Acknowledgements

Marcus Hawley, Francis Gannon, Jon Bounds, Peter Larkham, Julian Lamb, Carl Chinn and the 20th Century Society were very helpful for providing their insight and views on this topic.

-3-

List of Illustrations

Illustration 1: Forward_V, Shakespeare Line Steering Group. <http://www.shakespeareline.com/images/forward_v.jpg>

Illustration 2: Google Birds eye view, Google, 3 November 2008 <http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?gbv=2&hl=en&q=birds%20eye%20view%20chamberlain %20square&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=il>

Illustration 3: Birmingham Central Library, Seren Worton, 27 August 2008

Illustration 4: Central Library, 1973, Birmingham Libraries and Archives (Flatman 2008, p.24)

Illustration 5: Part of the replanned civic centre, John Madin Design Group (Sutcliffe and Smith 1974, facing page 401)

Illustration 6: Birmingham Central Library, Seren Worton, 27 August 2008

Illustration 7: Shops underneath Central Library, Seren Worton, 1 December 2008

Illustration 8: ICC Exterior, The ICC, <www.theicc.co.uk/ i/gallery/icc_exterior.jpg>

Illustration 9: Images of Birmingham, Craig Holmes (Flatman 2008, p.123)

-4-

Illustration 10: Images of Birmingham, Dave Bagnall (Flatman 2008, p.172)

Illustration 11: Victoria Square Architecture, Around_England, 19 September 2006 <http://image57.webshots.com/457/8/13/21/2998813210060122320unnuAo_fs.jpg>

Illustration 12: Centenary Square, Seren Worton, 27 August 2008

Illustration 13: Chamberlain Square beach and TV, Brian Wilson, Date Unknown <http://www.shakespeareline.com/images/chamberlain_beach_v.jpg>

Illustration 14: Birmingham 1970’s Rotunda, Ian Bower <http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/318458892_553bee20b8.jpg?v=0>

Illustration 15: Model of Rotunda layout, Spread Smoothe (Flatman 2008, p.103)

Illustration 16: Rotunda Apartment, Seren Worton, 5 August 2008

Illustration 17: Rotunda Apartment, Seren Worton, 5 August 2008

Illustration 18: Rotunda Apartment, Seren Worton, 5 August 2008

Illustration 19: Rotunda Light Installation, Seren Worton, 5 August 2008

Illustration 20: Rotunda Light Installation, Seren Worton, 5 August 2008

-5-

Illustration 21: Rotunda Light Installation, Seren Worton, 5 August 2008

Illustration 22: Rotunda, Seren Worton, 27 August 2008

Illustration 23: Rotunda, Seren Worton, 27 August 2008

Illustration 24: Rotunda Entrance, Seren Worton, 27 August 2008

Illustration 25: Interior of Library, Seren Worton, 1 December 2008

Illustration 26: Interior of Library Wing, Seren Worton,, 1 December 2008

Illustration 27: The Bullring Shopping Centre in 1971, Laing Development Co.Ltd (Sutcliffe and Smith 1974, facing page 400)

Illustration 28: The New Bullring Shopping Centre, 1974, Birmingham Libraries and Archives (Flatman 2008, p.24)

Illustration 29: Indoor Market’s Grande Parage, 1972, Bull Ring Box Birmingham Central library (Baird 2004, p.74)

Illustration 30: Google Bird Eye View, Google, 3 November 2008 <http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl>

Illustration 31: Bullring and St Martins, Seren Worton, 27 August 2008

-6-

Illustration 32: Inside Bullring, Seren Worton, 27 August 2008

Illustration 33: Bullring photo joiner New Street/High Street Corner, Seren Worton, 27 August 2008

Illustration 34: Bullring photo joiner St Martins, Seren Worton, 27 August 2008

Illustration 35: Library Central Court, Seren Worton, 1 December 2008

Illustration 36: Library Central Court Roof, Seren Worton, 1 December 2008

Illustration 37: Inside Mailbox, Seren Worton, 29 October 2006

Illustration 38: Exterior of Mailbox, Seren Worton, 5 August 2008

Illustration 39: Mailbox, Martin Hamilton (Flatman 2008, p.158)

Illustration 40: Underside of A38 flyover, Craig Holmes (Flatman 2008, p.33)

Illustration 41: Mailbox Entrance, Seren Worton, 29 October 2006

Illustration 42: The Cube is Coming, Seren Worton, 29 October 2006

Illustration 43: Concept Sketch, Ken Shuttleworth, 6 April 2007 <http://www.makearchitects.com/#/projects/0012/>

-7-

Illustration 44: Restaurant, Make Architects <www.thecubeiscoming.com>

Illustration 45: The Cube, Make Architects <www.thecubeiscoming.com>

Illustration 46: Sectional perspective, Make Architects (Flatman 2008, p.162)

Illustration 47: Fretwork Screen, Make Architects <http://www.makearchitects.com/#/projects/0012/>

Illustration 48: Cube Apartment, Make Architects <www.thecubeiscoming.com> Illustration 49: Cube Site, Seren Worton, 17 July 2008

Illustration 50: Photo Joiner New Street Station, Seren Worton, 27 August 2008

Illustration 51: Signal Box, Seren Worton, 5 August 2008

-8-

Introduction

Birmingham is always under a lot of criticism for the quality of its buildings. In 2008 several of Birmingham’s buildings were listed by the BBC in Britain’s top 10 eyesores. As Birmingham was a pioneer for new thinking in the country it seems unfair that it comes under so much criticism. Growing up in Birmingham gives an insight into the changing architecture of the city which provides an interesting topic to investigate.

Birmingham started off as a small village that received a market charter in 1154. It grew around the market place later known by the locals as the Bullring. Birmingham flourished during the Industrial Revolution where it made anything and everything from wire and nails to Aircraft parts. So much was made in Birmingham that in 1886 the British Association held an exhibition and credited the city as ‘the workshop of the world’. (Shill 2006, p.V)

During the Second World War the city received extensive damage from bombing. The bombs destroyed the roof of the market hall, which was home to the Bullring Market. The damage done by the bombings gave the developers a reason to give the city a new look and project it in to the future.

-9-

Even though the Market Hall suffered substantial damage from the bombings the other central feature to the city, St Martins church, still stood. Over the centuries St Martins has watched the changes that Birmingham has undergone. It still stands as a central feature to the city, witnessing the city being reborn after the Second World War. St Martins then saw its surrounding being torn down in the 1990s to give the city another face-lift.

Birmingham is still going through the transformation that started in the 1990s. This collection of new developments in the city is very different from the 1960s Birmingham that rose up from the bombings. Both waves of development have been steps in a new direction for Birmingham and each gave the city a new lease of life. The 1960s development is now under threat of being lost forever after many of the post war buildings have been removed and the rest are being threatened with demolition.

- 10 -

Illustration 1 – Birmingham’s coat of arms with the city of Birmingham motto “Forward”.

The Debate

Currently in Birmingham there is an on going debate about John Madin’s1 Central Library Building. Birmingham City Council have plans to redevelop Paradise Circus, which involves the demolition of Birmingham Central Library. English Heritage is fighting against the council’s plans and has proposed the listing of the building, as they believe it is a good example of post war architecture. Birmingham city council have fought back and applied for immunity from listing.

The council’s main argument against the building is that the library cuts one side of the city centre from the other. They believe that it signifies where the city centre ends and Broad Street begins and people feel that the other side is too far to travel to. Other arguments are that it is cramping the town hall, the area needs to be more open, it would cost too much to restore the building and that it’s not fit for purpose.

1

John Madin is a British architect born in 1925 in Moseley, Birmingham. He owned his own practice the John Madin Design Group and built many of Birmingham’s post war buildings, many of these have now been demolished.

- 11 -

Illustration 2 – Google Birds eye view of the Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Victoria Square and Centenary Square

The council plan to build a new library, which will be situated between Baskerville House and Birmingham Reparatory theatre on Centenary Square. The council want to deliver a new landmark building for the city. The new library will share facilities with the theatre; some of these will include a medium-sized auditorium, meeting and conference rooms, café and restaurants facilities. The Birmingham Rep will also receive improvements to the frontage and front of house facilities.

Many people agree with the council and believe the building should be knocked down as it is seen as an eyesore and an unwanted relic of the 1960s. Prince Charles once said it was ‘an incinerator more suitable for burning books than keeping them’. (Foster 2005, p.77) Lots of support has been shown for the listing of the building. A group on Facebook, ‘Save Birmingham Library from Demolition’, currently with 132 members, hailed the library as ‘our concrete masterpiece’.

- 12 -

Illustration 3 – Birmingham Central Library from Centenary Square

Birmingham Central Library (1960s)

“I love the Central Library. There, I’ve said it. The way the storeys fold out above you like some impossible stack of books, each larger and more crammed with knowledge than the last, is a view of wonder, a triumph of design and engineering over gravity.” - (Jon Bounds 2008, Birmingham Post)

Birmingham’s new library building was to be part of a group of civic and cultural buildings on a site called Paradise Circus. All the buildings were to be designed by the same architect. Birmingham needed a new library building because the original library designed by E.M Barry became too small for its purpose. Alwyn Sheppard Fiddler, the city architect, proposed a box design but this was rejected. In 1964 John Madin, a local architect, was appointed to design Birmingham’s new library.

- 13 -

The site for the new building is situated partially in-between the Victorian council house and the partly constructed civic centre. The project intended to bring these two together to form the city’s civic core. The library closes Chamberlain Square and provided an area with out traffic because the roads were diverted underneath the site, so that the building spanned the Inner Ring Road. A bus station was proposed for underneath the library, this was left incomplete after the start of the 1970’s oil crisis.

The structure of the building was determined by the spacing needed for the bus station. Inspiration for the building was taken from Le Corbusier’s Monastery of La Tourette. Madin’s library was constructed in two sections. The first section, the reference library, is raised above Chamberlain Square in a square building. The second section, the wing of the building, contains the children’s library, lending library, quick reference library and administrative offices.

Illustration 4 – Construction of Madins library while old library awaits demolition

The reference library is an inverted ziggurat on tall piers, where as the lending library is a curving 3-storey wing. These two shapes provide an interesting contrast. The building was scaled so that

- 14 -

it doesn’t overwhelm the surrounding town hall and council houses. Madin used the golden section to design the pier and ducts of the ziggurat. The upper storeys of the reference library are stepped out 4ft 6 inches from the one below it; this helps shield the windows so that direct light can’t damage the books. The central area of the reference library is an open court. The building sits on tall piers allowing the public to walk beneath.

Illustration 5 - Madin’s drawing of the Central Library and Chamberlain Square

Madin’s original vision for the building was to clad it in Portland stone and be situated in landscaped gardens with waterfalls and fountains. Unfortunately these plans were never carried through and the building was clad in pre cast concrete panels. The concrete is strongly expressed with a rough texture through abrasive blasting and exposed limestone aggregate.

When construction of the Central Library began the remainder of the civic centre failed due to the

- 15 -

oil crisis of the 1970’s. Harold Wilson officially opened the library on the 12th of January 1974. The building contains seating for 1000 people and 32 miles of shelving to house over one million volumes. In 1989-91 the city’s architect department enclosed the underneath of the reference library with a glass roof and boxy screens and filled it with cheap shops. (Illustration 7)

Illustration 6 – Birmingham Central Library from Chamberlain Square

- 16 -

Illustration 7 – Cheap shops in the now enclosed central court of the Central Library From industry to conventions

“A major city- sequentially industrialised, motorised, traumatised, demonised, stigmatised, deindustrialised – is now being reinvented.” – (Stephan Bayley 2008, The Observer)

In the 1980’s Birmingham hit rock bottom as industry was in decline. The factories closed down and the city was hit with heavy unemployment. In order to combat the physical downturn Birmingham took inspiration from America. Baltimore had reinvented itself as a convention destination and Birmingham followed Baltimore’s model.

- 17 -

Baltimore

Birmingham

Baltimore Convention Centre - 1979 ‘Festival Market’ Harbour Place development 1980 Baltimore National Aquarium - 1981

International Convention Centre - 1991 Brindley Place - 1995

National Sea Life Centre - 1996

Birmingham was entrepreneurial by proposing the first purpose built convention centre in the UK. The queen opened the International Convention Centre (ICC) in 1991. It was designed to attract national and international conferences. One of the first events to be held there was the EC summit in 1992.

Illustration 8 – ICC Exterior from the Canal

The ICC became the epicentre for Birmingham’s development. From its success, development in the area gained momentum and the warehouses lining the canal became restaurants, apartments, nightclubs, the Sea life Centre and the National Indoor Arena (NIA). The ICC and the

- 18 -

NIA provided attractions for those living in the city and for visitors. Business’s now wanted to be a part of Birmingham and the IT sector and financial service sector started expanding. The development along the canal, Brindley Place, is now a national model for urban design. The architecture within the development has set standards for any commercial development in Birmingham.

Illustration 9 – Brindley place

In 1988 there was an international gathering of architects, planners and urbanists, which produced the Highbury Initiative. The meeting was set up to discuss the vision of the city and one of the main issues to come out of the meeting was that the city had no clear visual image. The report released from the meeting encourages the private and public sectors to work together on

- 19 -

the new development of the city. It proposed the renovation of iconic industrial buildings such as the Birds Custard Factory in Digbeth (Illustration 10). It suggested rebuilding the city in terms of “quarters” and to connect these via walkways and public squares. These ideas would help to revalue pedestrianisation, which would be a ‘symbolic effort to undo the image of motor city’. (Kennedy 2004, p.3)

Illustration 10 – The Custard Factory in Digbeth

In 1989, one hundred years after Birmingham became a city a public space was created named the Gardens of Remembrance now renamed Centenary Square. This was the first grand pedestrianised public space for the city. Centenary Square links the Central Library to the ICC across the Ring Road. The predestrianisation of New Street and the redesign of Victoria Square followed.

- 20 -

Illustration 11 – Victoria Square “Centenary Square represented a huge leap forward for Birmingham. For the first time in years, it could genuinely be said to be amongst the most cutting-edge and forward-looking cities in the country.” (Flatman 2008, p.31)

Birmingham once again made a decision to push itself forward by pedestrianising squares making it stand out from other cities and paving the way for new urban design.

- 21 -

Illustration 12 - Centenary Square

This made the city centre more accessible and a more attractive environment for people. It took the city away from the cars and gave it back to the inhabitants by lowering Queensway at Paradise Circus. The improvement of Victoria Square produces a high quality open space, which is a focal point for the centre. All the development of the 1990s helped combine the city centre based service industries with revitalised public spaces and new architecture. Repeating the same mistakes

Since the city started reinventing itself in the 1990s, the 1960s architecture is seen as part of the old failing industrial Birmingham. The Bullring Shopping Centre, New Street Station, Birmingham Central Library and the Rotunda were all labelled eyesores that didn’t fit in with the new vision for the city. Birmingham demolished many of the 1960’s architecture including The Bullring Shopping

- 22 -

Centre. The attitude towards the architecture reflects the attitude taken in the 1960’s towards Victorian architecture. Herbert Manzoni, Birmingham’s City Engineer (1935-63), was one of the most influential people involved in the post war redevelopment of the city centre. Manzoni believed that the areas that were set for redevelopment must look completely different and be brand new. Lots of the Victorian architecture was torn down to make way for Manzoni’s modern city. He saw the architecture as a past Birmingham that had failed and believed strongly that buildings should only have a life span of 15-20 years.

Manzoni’s view on buildings can be justified as architecture does date but to give such a short life span to a building is a waste if money, materials and time. This approach is far from sustainable. Buildings can be reinvented and rejuvenated but more focus should be place on building good quality architecture that will still look good in 50-80 years.

Marcus Hawley, who works for Urban Splash2 and is a member of the Birmingham Civic Society, strongly believes that Birmingham shouldn’t be repeating the mistakes of the 1960s. “What Birmingham is all about is this perception that once something is old we should get rid of it. There is no kind of thought about restoration, giving something a new lease of life. As soon as something is not being used there is a sense that it should go.” (Hawley 2008, interview with author) He believes that the problem lies with, “the obsession with grand big projects instead of what Birmingham is known for which is small craftsman stuff.” (Hawley 2008, interview with author)

Marcus Hawley backs the listing of Birmingham Central Library. As a developer for Urban Splash they measure the success of a building by how much it is used. “Birmingham Central Library is the busiest non lending library in Europe.” (Hawley 2008, interview with author) Hawley thinks
2

Urban Splash is a development company that was formed in 1993 and have worked on the Rotunda and Fort Dunlop in Birmingham

- 23 -

Madin’s design is clever, really tactile and not showy. “Its just a really good building.” (Hawley 2008, interview with author) Marcus’s point is valid as the library is a very good example of 1960s architecture and is a very successful building. It is not failing as a library and it’s not derelict. The library is regularly full and always has a bustle about it, inside and out. Chamberlain Square is busy everyday with people sitting on the steps outside the library and in the summer on the imported beach3. The Library is a social hub in Birmingham and according to how Urban Splash measures a buildings success; the library is an incredibly successful building.

Illustration 13 – Beach in Chamberlain Square

The Council argues that the library is not fit for purpose, old fashioned, not fitting a modern Birmingham and its not ambitious enough, these are the same arguments used to knock down The Martin Chamberlain library in 1968. “No one is picking up on the fact that we are using exactly the same arguments over and over again.” (Hawley 2008, interview with author) These

3

Each year Birmingham city council import an artificial beach at the Bullring Centre and in Chamberlain Square inspired by France's Paris Plage on the banks of the River Seine. The beach is free for all to use and is sponsored by Emirates

- 24 -

arguments were also used against James A. Roberts4 Rotunda in the late 1990’s. Urban splash conducted a survey before they got involved with the redevelopment of the Rotunda and 50% of the public wanted it knocked down as it was seen as an, “icon of a past age.” (Hawley 2008, interview with author)

The Rotunda (1960s)

“From the moment the Architects earliest designs began to appear in the papers the Rotunda became the most distinctive shape in the city, symbolizing all that was modern, clean and

4

James A Roberts born 1922 is a local architect who ran his own practice James A Roberts and Associates from the Rotunda

- 25 -

ambitious about the new Birmingham.” - Chris Upton (Gaunt 2008, p.13)

Part of the Bullring development was a 271ft circular tower that was situated on higher ground. Designed by James Roberts the Rotunda gave Birmingham’s skyline something unique. The shape of the building evolved from the constraints of the triangular site. The building has 22 storeys, rises 80 meters above street level and has a diameter of 32 metres. In the 1960’s everyone thought that modern was the best and round buildings were all the rage. (Illustration 14)

James A. Roberts scheme for the Bullring didn’t go ahead and was altered by other developers but he had full control over the Rotunda. “The Rotunda was part of my much larger Bull Ring scheme, and it is still a great regret to me today, that at the time the sprawling scheme that was adopted was plagiarised by the corporation from my original published scheme and was allowed to go ahead.” (Gaunt 2008, p.7)

From the start the Rotunda was a challenging building, structural problems arose because of its close proximity to the railway tunnels. The solution to this was concreting the main load of the building onto a twin ring of foundations. The central core of the building is 54 feet of thick concrete, which takes the strain of the walls, windows and the people in the building. The architect calls the concrete core ‘the stick in the iced lolly’. (Gaunt 2008, p.13) The buildings spandrels are clad in mosaic tiles and the rest is glazed creating bands wrapping round the building.

- 26 -

Illustration 14 – Rotunda from the markets

Roberts’s original designs included floor to ceiling glazing, glass lifts and a revolving restaurant. Unfortunately these never materialised due to lack of funds and issues with access and fire safety for the restaurant. Roberts also envisioned the Rotunda with a halo of neon lights on each floor; he wanted the building to look like a candle in the centre of the city. To enforce this idea he wanted to include a light structure on the roof to create the flame of the candle, these also never went ahead. When built in 1964 with a cost of over one million, the Rotunda did eventually receive one of the largest neon signs in the country. When switched on in 1981 it displayed a coca cola advert and a digital clock, which could be seen across the city.

The podium, at the bottom of the structure, contained shops, the Mulberry Bush Pub and a

- 27 -

double height bank hall, which was designed by the architect. Within the bank hall was a carved mural by artist John Poole. The bank vault was said to float ‘ alarmingly above the ground’. (Gaunt 2008, p.13) The Rotunda sits at a focal point for the roads into the city. It became a famous meeting place and a drop off point as it was on the edge of the ring road; it was a popular place for many blind dates.

The Rotunda earned its popularity because it rose above the Bullring and it was prominent in the city centre and on the city’s skyline. It was seen as an ultra modern futuristic structure.

“It was as if a great shining cylinder had been transported from the future, from a different time and place, and had landed in Birmingham.” (Gaunt 2008, p.3)

- 28 -

The Rotunda (2000)

“They’ve been able to regenerate it, change it, but it ‘s still the Rotunda.” - Gladstone Small (Gaunt 2008, P.78)

The Rotunda was derelict for a decade and threatened with demolition, but in 2000 it became a grade two-listed building. Birmingham Alliance5 approached Urban Splash to redevelop the Rotunda. Urban Splash along with Glenn Howells Architects6 converted the former office building into 234 luxury apartments, which opened its doors to the new residences in 2008.

The developers wanted to work with the building and not against it, they wanted to continue the building and not pretend it was new. The shape of the apartments was driven by the geometry of the building creating trivial pursuit style wedge living spaces. The partition walls radiate out from the central core, which contains the buildings circulation with two lifts, a stairwell and generous communal lobbies.

Illustration 15 – model of rotundas partition walls

5

The Birmingham Alliance is a joint venture partnership between Pearl Group Ltd, Hammerson Plc and Land Securities Group Plc 6 Glenn Howells Architects is a firm founded by Glenn Howells in 1990, which has two offices in Birmingham and London, who have worked on other projects in Birmingham such as Southside, Eleven Brindley Place and Snow Hill.

- 29 -

In the apartments the kitchens and bathrooms are located towards the central core this maximises the daylight to the habitable spaces and provides them with generous views. Apartments range from city pad; one bed, 2 bed and studio apartments to 6 penthouses with private balconies and three duplex apartments, located in the previous bank vault, advertised as ‘townhouses in the sky’. The apartments create a harmonious balance between 60’s retro elegance and 21st century gadgets. To pay tribute to the Rotunda’s 60’s roots 30 prints of girls in 60s clothing and hairstyles in front of 1960s architecture were specially commissioned for the building. John Lamb wrote, “You could be made to feel positively out of place in a Rotunda apartment unless you wear an Armani striped suit with sockless feet stuck in trendy flip flops.” (Lamb 2008, Birmingham Post)

Illustration 16 – Inside of a Staying Cool apartment in the Rotunda

- 30 -

Illustration 17 – Inside of a Staying Cool apartment in the Rotunda

Illustration 18 – Inside of a Staying Cool apartment in the Rotunda

- 31 -

The apartments are small, the one bed apartment consists of a very generous bathroom, a tiny bedroom with minimal storage and an average sized kitchen/living area. The winning feature is the stunning views of Birmingham. You can see for miles and up on the 19th floor watching the many shoppers, through floor to ceiling windows, going about their business is a surreal experience. Unfortunately the one down side to living in the Rotunda is it never gets dark due to the lights in the city centre constantly staying on. The blinds provided do not keep out the street lights making it feel like your going to sleep during the day. When morning comes you are woken by seagulls flying around the Rotunda and making quite a bit of noise. Even with these negatives, what sells the apartments is the experience of being in one of Birmingham’s most noticeable buildings and being able to watch the city live day by day.

The reception was reconfigured to the New Street/High Street corner and given a double height single glazed screen, which invites people into a 9-meter high entrance space, which follows the contours of the ground. A ramp leads down to the central core made from the same granite flooring as the square outside the entrance. The lobby has a unique illuminated chandelier. The structure is shaped as a wave and leads into the central core of the building. Containing several hundred LED lights it gives a soft glow to the building and creates a dramatic and interesting entrance. The chandelier has several different light programmes, which can change colour, create shapes that move down the structure or create a wave effect. The light installation creates a dramatic focal point to the New Street/High Street corner as the double height space glows in the night. From the central core seamless floors run into the apartments and each of the lobbies are either yellow or lime. On each floor the walls depict a different phase of the buildings remodelling telling the story of the Rotunda’s regeneration. As you go up, the Rotunda in the photographs, gets closer to completion, which really helps give the tenants a connection with the building.

- 32 -

Illustration 19 – Light installation in the Rotunda’s entrance

Illustration 20 – Light installation in the Rotunda’s entrance

- 33 -

Illustration 21 – Light installation in the Rotunda’s entrance

The outside of the building has retained the trade mark bands but these spandrels have been reduced in size in order to create floor to ceiling glazing to give visitors maximum views of the city. The original façade was failing where mosaic tiles were falling off but now the building is clad in a bespoke prefabricated curtain walling system. This is arranged on an existing facet of five degrees and provides 72 glazed modules. The new full height windows, which were in the architects original plans in the 1960’s, makes the building look lighter and more transparent. (Illustration 23) The spandrel panels are made from textured white opaque glass, which gives a similar reflective quality to the mosaic tiles of the 60’s. This retains the contrast between the glazing and the spandrel panels, which is a principal characteristic that was stated in the listing. The apartments have access to one fixed glazed module and one internal sliding door that opens like an airline door. The architect has managed to keep a consistency in appearance between the

- 34 -

fixed modules and the openings, which preserves the simplicity of the elevation. In order to keep the elevation constantly consistent bespoke blinds have been fitted in each apartment. Keeping the elevation simple really is the key to the success of the new look Rotunda. It is now a light structure, very futuristic and much more elegant.

James A Roberts original vision of the Rotunda looking like a candle inspired the developers to propose a light box for the top of the building. The 4ft high screen will be displaying live artwork.

“Interestingly it is now like James Roberts’ original scheme should have looked like. A full cylinder, but a cylinder of glass, a really modern future for Birmingham.”

-

Nathan Cornish, Managing Director of Urban Splash (Gaunt 2008, p.85)

Illustration 22 – View of Rotunda behind the bullring

- 35 -

Illustration 23 - Rotunda’s new cladding

- 36 -

Illustration 24 - Rotunda’s new entrance The cost of renovation

Once the Rotunda’s revamp was complete Urban Splash conducted the same survey as before and 100% of respondents said the Rotunda was an icon of Birmingham and should never be touched! Ironically Glenn Howells’s team found a quote from Glenn Howells, from before he was involved with the Rotunda, saying he would knock it down. Hawley believes that ‘if we just cleaned the library peoples perceptions would change. There is no better example than the Rotunda.’ (Hawley 2008, interview with author) Birmingham City Councillor Clive Dutton is one of the many fans of the new look Rotunda and in Nick Gaunt’s book ‘21 Stories’ he states,

“She looks fabulous in sunshine and glorious in rain … Hers is the silhouette that makes Birmingham distinctive across the world … She’s the psyche of Birmingham. Long live the Rotunda.” (Gaunt 2008, p.62)

Unfortunately Clive Dutton is also one of the many rallying against the listing of Birmingham Central Library. He has stated that, “the current library would need £160 million of investment just to bring it up to standard.” (Madin 2008, Birmingham Post)

Many ask where this figure of £160million has come from. The Rotunda, a building from the same period, was completed with a construction value of £21 million. The Barbican, London, which is also the same age as the library as well as a similar sized building, was refurbished for around £35 million. How is it Birmingham Council are quoting a figure that is closer to the £190 million cost to build the new library? Marcus Hawley states, “they are specifying gold taps, anything to get the cost up. It’s that thing putting the cart before the horse. The decision has been made, now find reasons for the decision, not the other way round and it happens over and over again.”

- 37 -

(Hawley 2008, interview with author)

Structurally there is nothing wrong with Madin’s library. The structural tolerances of the building are so high that, “you can build the same library on top of the existing library and it will still be structurally fine.” (Hawley 2008, interview with author) The main problem is the interior of the library, which is now very run down and in need of attention. That is a management issue though and not an issue to do with the architecture of the building. Yes the escalators are old and tired and haven’t been changed since the library was built and the interior is looking dreary but if the Rotunda and the Barbican can be revamped and be successful, why not the library? The library lends itself perfectly to being a modern art gallery because of how the building was designed so that direct natural light does not enter the interior.

- 38 -

Illustration 25 - Interior of Central Library

Illustration 26 - Interior of library wing

If the Council have their way the library will meet the same fate as the 1960s Bullring. According to Hawley the reason’s the Bullring was demolished were, “a bit of bad design, a bit of neglect and quite a lot of bad management, that really lead to is downfall.” (Hawley 2008, interview with

- 39 -

author)

The Bullring (1960s)

“There can’t be much wrong with architectural imagination or the technical competence of the structural industry, if they can plan and execute such an ambitious project.” - Duke of Edinborough (Birmingham Mail date unknown, The Making of the Bullring Shopping Centre)

In 1957 three large sites along Smallbrook Ringway were advertised to developers. The sites only received three offers within 9 months. One of the bidders, JLG Investment, proposed a joint development of all three sites. This opened the Public Works committee’s eyes and they saw an opportunity for a great architectural scheme.

The shape of the three individual sites dictated each building’s design. The inspiration for the development came from across the pond; Birmingham looked at shopping centres in America and decided it wanted to do something different and that had never been done before in the UK. Birmingham wanted to create a town within a city. What the city produced was completely different to the shopping streets in London. The Bullring became the first major indoor shopping centre in Europe and also Europe’s largest shopping centre.

The early plans for the Bullring shopping centre were to include a 20-storey hotel and large multistorey car park. James A. Roberts, a local architect, proposed the first design of a covered shopping centre, bus station, car park, offices and retail market. This scheme didn’t go ahead but a similar scheme by John Laing and Sons was accepted in 1960.

The sites that the Bullring was built on came with two main challenges. The first challenge was

- 40 -

that these sites were all separated by the ring road. This was over come by connecting the three buildings with bridges that spanned the Inner Ring Road. The second issue was that the sites sat on a slope but this gave great potential to maximise the available floor area. The shopping centre was constructed on six levels; three of these were dedicated to retail and leisure services, one to car parking and access, one for deliveries and one for a ballroom. Shops were placed along the bridges over the ring road. The result of having the shopping centre on so many levels was that on the south side of the ring road there was a continuous frontage on five storeys. (Illustration 27) Altogether the bullring was 1 million square foot and the largest bridge was 145ft long. It took 29 months to build and during construction all roads and services continued to operate. The bridges were erected during the night in order not to disturb the Ring Road in the day. During construction the market still took place in the bombed out market hall but in 1962 this was cleared to make way for Manzoni Gardens. The open-air market and indoor market were still preserved in the Bullring.

Illustration 27 – Bullring Shopping Centre 1971

- 41 -

Illustration 28 – One of the Bullring Bridges 1964

Birmingham had produced a traffic free indoor space that could accommodate 40,000 shoppers. The Bullring had seven modern shopping areas and the focal point was the centre court, which was a spacious piazza where all routes round the Bullring met. Within this space exhibitions were regularly held for the public to see. In the winter the Bullring was warm and cosy and in the summer it was light and cool. Inside there was subdued lighting and music played out to shoppers as they walked, which was intended to relax them ‘ to a profitable pace of 1.5mph’. (Gold 2007, p.123) Inside there was no traffic, no noise and no fumes.

- 42 -

Illustration 29 - The indoor market’s grand parade in the Bullring

The Bullring also contained several banks, pubs, restaurants and cafes. To give that outside feel, cafes had tables with sun umbrellas for customers to sit at. The Bullring had an outside terrace, which over looked landscaped gardens. With 15 different entrances and subways under the ring road to get you to them there was never any traffic worries. If arriving by car you just drove into the car park off the ring road. When the Bullring first opened it offered a valet service where your car was taken via a lift to the car park. This was unfortunately short lived. At the rear of the centre were the delivery facilities, access corridors and parcel delivery. The Bullring stayed open at night because of the restaurants and the ballroom. These were popular and the ballroom regularly had live bands playing for the dancers.

In 1964 the Bullring was opened by the Duke of Edinborough who praised the new shopping centre. The Bullring was very popular; it bought modernity to consumerism but was not as good as American models. These were more successful due to being on one flat site. The centre was

- 43 -

complicated and daring but did what Birmingham wanted it to do and that was to be something new and something different. It helped stimulate the city’s economy and changed the buying habits of shoppers in the Midlands. Julian Lamb, a lecturer at Birmingham City University, said, “it was a very popular place on a Saturday morning, it would be full.” (Lamb 2008, interview with author)

Unfortunately the Bullring was separated from the rest of the city because of the ring road. Later on the subway networks put off the shoppers when they became dreary and dangerous. Regularly the escalators and other electronic elements in the centre would break down. Not everyone was a fan of the new Bullring and missed the old Market Hall. Historian Vivianne Burg wrote, ‘The new shopping centre lacks the appeal of the old cobbled bullring, it was for every Brummie a focus of affection such as we no longer possess. Birmingham has lost its heart.’ (Heritage media date unknown, history of the bullring,)

- 44 -

The Bullring

“ Like the phoenix rising from the ashes of that unfortunate era the new Bullring is now one that Birmingham should rightly be proud of.” - James A Roberts (Gaunt 2008, p.7)

In the 1980’s the Bullring of the 60’s fell out of favour, the concrete had faded and weathered and the ring road was constricting the city centre. Demolition began in 2000 to make way for a Benoy’s7 £500,000,000 development, which was Europe’s largest retail led city centre development. The proposed scheme covers an area of 26 football pitches with 132 stores and two large department stores that form the centre’s anchors. Owned by Birmingham Alliance the scheme follows other successful developments including Brindley Place and the Mailbox8. The Bullring created an estimated 8000 jobs for the city and the scheme reinstated the original routes through the city centre. Once again St Martins can be seen from the New Street/High Street corner and the Bullring now encourages pedestrian movements between New Street and the High Street to St Martins and on into Digbeth.

7

Benoy is an international firm consisting of architects, interior and graphic designers and master planners. They have offices in the UK, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong. Benoy also worked on the NEC casino in Birmingham 8 The Mailbox is a mixed use development consisting of high end shops, restaurants, bars and hotels

- 45 -

Illustration 30 – Birds eye view of New Street, Bullring, St martins and Digbeth

Illustration 31– St Martin’s church seen through Bullring from the New Street/High Street Corner

- 46 -

Unlike the previous Bullring, where once inside you had no connection with the outside world, the new design has sky plane glass ceilings that still give you the feeling of being outside. These also help get maximum light to all three levels of retail. The Bullring is a series of internal glazed streets connecting the anchors (Selfridges and Debenhams) at each end. The materials palette consists of natural stone; glass, timber and brickwork this gives the centre a contemporary feel but helps it sit within the architecture around it.

Illustration 32 – Inside the new Bullring shopping centre completed in 2003

The new Bullring corrects the wrongs of the old. Its takes the idea of an indoor shopping centre but it is executed better. Its lighter and brighter as the roof is glazed rather than being shut in and unaware of the outside. It’s more connected with the rest of the centre, with the pedestrianisation of New Street and the High Street and the areas around St Martins. Advances in technology help it run smoother than the old centre and without subways to navigate it is easier and more

- 47 -

pleasant to arrive at. Julian Lamb, Lecturer at Birmingham City University, pointed out that he had never been to the centre. “I think that says a lot about the new Bullring. If shopping isn’t your thing then you would have no reason to go there.” (Lamb 2008, interview with author) Unlike the previous Bullring that included restaurants and a Ballroom the new bullring is mainly retail with a few cafes and fast food shops. It isn’t a destination to go to at night and leaves that part of the city quiet after closing. According to Birmingham Alliance the reason the Bullring is 100% shops, is Birmingham as a city didn’t have anywhere near the same amount of retail as other cities in the UK.

Prince Charles who previously gave negative opinions on the 1960’s Birmingham praised the changes to the Bullring. “I think Birmingham is beginning to rediscover its architectural riches and heritage and the value of quality urban space.” (Marshall 2002, BBC News) Prince Charles has a point, Birmingham has finally produced good urban spaces, such as Victoria Square and Centenary square, and rediscovered and reconnected the city’s old market routes.

Illustration 33 – Photo joiner of Bullring from the New Street/High Street Corner

Illustration 34 – Photo joiner of Bullring from St Martin’s church

- 48 -

A Question of Space

Unlike the Bullring it doesn’t make sense to destroy the library. The Bullring is now better designed, larger and more appropriate for the city. The council are currently arguing that the library building is too small to house the archives. The site the council are planning to build the new library on is half the size of the current library. How does the council plan to create a bigger library on a site half the size? John Madin argues that the current library is big enough. “The recent city council did not complete the library as designed but sold off parts of the library and the adjacent site for commercial development. The fast food shops use the archive accommodation for food storage and for delivery of supplies. The mistake can be easily corrected.” (Madin 2008, Birmingham Post)

The fast food shops have fuelled another criticism from the council; they claim that the library cuts one side of the city centre off from the other. The council say that it separates Broad Street from the rest of the centre and they claim people see it as a barrier and won’t go any further. “They say people don’t like walking through buildings. Then they show a map of people travelling to Brindley Place with a big red cross through the library yet it shows people will happily travel through the ICC.” (Hawley 2008, interview with author) The library was never designed to be a building you walk through. “There was no “blockage” until the city council allowed a developer to fill the whole of the civic square beneath the library and entrance to the largest non national library in Europe with cheap fast food shops, having glazed in the open atrium above with a green house type of structure.” (Madin 2008, Birmingham Post) The library was built raised above the ground to provide a large open courtyard beneath. This was designed to include fountains with an open atrium, ‘providing visual “connectivity” with all parts of the civic centre.” (Madin 2008, Birmingham Post)

- 49 -

It seems simple to solve the problem of the library splitting the city centre. Remove the additions of the 1990’s to once again open the route between Victoria Square and Centenary Square. After all what are the additions really providing? Another McDonalds and Weatherspoons for a nation that’s criticised for being obese and is currently in a credit crisis. Restoring the library to the original plans by opening up the central court to the elements will make it very similar to The Mailbox which is a very successful mixed use development in Birmingham. The Mailbox is a renovated 1960s building where the architect has cut a street through the centre of the building making it open to the elements. The library could be like this if the roof to the central court was removed.

Illustration 35 - Central court and roof

- 50 -

Illustration 36 - Central court roof

- 51 -

The Mailbox

“The Mailbox is unprecedented both in terms of scale and the range of uses it brings together. It also represents a dynamic approach to regeneration.” (Flatman 2008, p.156)

The Mailbox is the former Royal mail parcel and letter sorting office originally constructed in 1968. In 1998 the premises were acquired by Birmingham Mailbox Ltd9. The architects decided to make the Mailbox a route rather than a destination by creating a street through the building linking the city centre with the canal network. (Illustration 37)

“The architects vision of cutting an open street through the building to create the missing link in a new pedestrian circuit was adopted as a vital component of the regeneration.” (Flatman 2008, p.156)

The interior scale of the building is based on a typical Birmingham street and the interior character is also in keeping with this. The exterior of the building is on a giant scale; it’s a bold bright red, which is lit dramatically at night.

9

Alan Chatham and Mark Billingham established Birmingham Mailbox Ltd in 1998. The Mailbox is the first project for the company.

- 52 -

Illustration 37 – Mailbox’s internal street

Illustration 38 – Re-clad exterior of the Mailbox

- 53 -

Illustration 39 – The Mailbox at night

The Mailbox is the UK's largest mixed use building containing, two hotels, high end shopping, BBC TV studios, offices, restaurants and private apartments. The building is stepped in sections creating coherent zones. This is an innovative mixed-use scheme and became the catalyst for regeneration in its city quarter, which had become neglected.

The development was extended to New Street with a new pedestrian route under the ring road. The street paving was replaced with a granite surface and public artwork was commissioned. Thomas Heatherwick created coloured lines in the pavement that lead from New Street in to The Mailbox, ‘in order to reinforce the new route and develop a coherent identity’. (Flatman 2008, p.158) (Illustration 41)

- 54 -

Illustration 40 – Pedestrian route under the ring road leading to the Mailbox

Illustration 41 – Thomas Heatherwick’s coloured lines in the entrance of the Mailbox

- 55 -

Removing the addition to the library will make it a destination and a route similar to how the Mailbox operates. Interestingly enough the council are backing a new development in Birmingham that is similar to the library. The Cube has a courtyard that is open to the elements which is reminiscent of the library’s original form.

Illustration 42 – Advertisement for the Cube on a lift door in the Mailbox

- 56 -

The Cube

“From these diagrams we ended up with a square in plan and that immediately got us thinking what if it is a square in elevation. What if it’s a cube!” (Frances Gannon 2008, interview with author)

The Cube is intended to build upon the success of the Mailbox. It is planned to be the full stop to the Mailbox and is a destination rather than a route. The clients wanted a big building and wanted to create something that was fantastic, a landmark building that Birmingham can be proud of.

Birmingham has always been a city that has made things and Make Architects10 wanted to knit the building in with its surroundings. They took inspiration from the range of objects that were made in the city from light and delicate to heavy and tough. This is expressed in the Cube’s design, the outside is very square and chunky and made form metal where as the inside is very glassy and very delicate. Ken Shuttleworth11 describes the building like a jewellery box because its protective and hard on the outside but when you open it up there is a surprise of beautiful spaces inside.

10

Make was founded in 1994 by architect Ken Shuttleworth and has offices in London, Birmingham and Edinborough 11 Ken Shuttleworth is a British architect born in Birmingham in 1952. For 30 years he worked at Foster and Partners. Shuttleworth worked on the original designs for the Swiss Re building also known as the ‘Gherkin’.

- 57 -

Illustration 43 – Ken Shuttleworth’s concept sketch

The Cube is located outside the city’s tall building zone so a tower wasn’t appropriate but the site is on high ground so there was no need to build tall to have an impact on the skyline. A rooftop restaurant explodes out the top of the building crowning it. This will help grab attention on the skyline especially at night, as it will glow ‘like a spaceship has come and landed on the horizon’. (Francis Gannon 2008, interview with author) The glass structure at the top of the building will help link it with other buildings prominent on the skyline for example the Rotunda. The rooftop restaurant has been taken on by Conran and will make the Cube the first building in Birmingham that the public can get to the top of, offering them panoramic views of the city.

- 58 -

Illustration 44 – Computer rendering of the Cube’s rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the city

One thing that concerned the architects is that they didn’t want the cube too look too heavy and therefore it doesn’t sit directly on the ground. Instead the Cube sits on a glass storey of shop frontages, which will give the building a feel of it hovering above the ground. “It’s held up like an object to be celebrated.” (Francis Gannon 2008, interview with author)

- 59 -

Illustration 45 – Computer rendering of the Cube

To link the plinth of shops at the bottom to the crown (the restaurant) at the top a courtyard cuts through the inside of the building creating jagged shapes as it twists and turns. The courtyard cuts more out of the building each storey it rises terracing back to provide each apartment with its own terraced area. The metal geometric cladding continues across the cut in the building creating a fretwork screen allowing natural ventilation into the building. Like the Mailbox’s cut through street The Cube’s open courtyard goes all the way to the bottom of the building. “We wanted the rain to fall all the way down to the floor so it feels like an outdoor space rather than a shopping mall.” (Francis Gannon 2008, interview with author) The rain will fall as a column in the centre so you will still be able to walk round two thirds of the building without getting wet.

- 60 -

Illustration 46 – Sectional perspective of the cube

Illustration 47 – Computer rendering of fretwork screen and apartment terraces

- 61 -

Like the Mailbox, The Cube is a mixed-use building and will also be another precedent for mixed use development. The Mailbox creates a mixed-use scheme in an existing building; The Cube is a mixed-use scheme in a brand new structure. The Cube will contain high-end shops, as it won’t be able to compete with the Bullring using high street stores and it wouldn’t want to compete with the Bullring, this is a destination for a different type of shopper. Above the shops will be five floors of office space, a 40-bed boutique hotel that will be more signature and high end than the hotels in the Mailbox. 344 apartments will also be contained in the building along with the rooftop restaurant. This mix of elements should give the building a 24 hour feel, ‘that should create a sort of energy about it.’ (Francis Gannon 2008, interview with author)

Illustration 48 – computer rendered image of an apartment in the Cube

Public space is at the heart of this building and Make feel that it’s very important that Brummies feel a connection to this building. To encourage this Tempa, a local graffiti artist, will be producing his first sculptural pieces of artwork for this new development. The sculptures will be of people from the city, ‘its all about celebrating the people of Birmingham’. (Francis Gannon 2008, interview with author)

- 62 -

Illustration 49 – Cube construction so far

- 63 -

Should it stay or go? Birmingham council want to get stuck into a big new project for the city. They want to create a new iconic building for Birmingham. Iconic status isn’t just created its earned and a good example of this is the Rotunda. Its important to have good new architecture in the city but not at the price of losing a very good old building. As Hawley points out, “we were the modernist capital of Europe and now we have 3 or 4 of them left and they are all scheduled for demolition.” (Hawley 2008, interview with author) If the library gets demolished we would be left with the revamped Rotunda, the Signal Box and New Street Station. New Street is an appalling example of 1960s architecture with a random curving ramp and lots of dead frontage. The Signal Box on the other hand is a fantastic example of 1960s architecture and is listed because it is a successful building that fulfils its purpose.

Illustration 50 – New Street Station and the Pallasades shopping centre

- 64 -

Illustration 51 – The Signal Box The library still fulfils its purpose and is successful so why not list it? All the council’s arguments against the building were bought on by themselves with the additions of the late 1980s and poor management of the building.

Removing the building because it’s seen as a part of a past failing Birmingham is not a good enough reason. You can’t erase history and at the time the library was built Birmingham had successfully reinvented itself as a modern motor city and was thriving. Just because times have changed there is no need to remove building of the past if they are successful, busy and well designed buildings.

I conducted my own questionnaire, similar to the one Urban Splash produced for the Rotunda. Asking Brummies whether they want the library to stay, be demolished or if they have no preference. Out of the 81 participants, 30 wanted the library to be listed and kept, while 26 wanted it removed and 24 had no preference. Similar to the Rotunda’s results the city’s inhabitants are quite divided on the debate. Majority of those that wanted it to be removed justified their choice by stating it was an ugly building, where as the ones who chose to list and keep the library based their decisions on the frequent use of the building and its architectural heritage. A respondent wrote, “I believe that despite the fact that the architectural heritage of Britain will have to be preserved, there is the need for buildings, structures and facilities to be upgraded to meet changing and modern times and demands. It will be well and good if the current building is maintained but if the library is to be upgraded to have the latest facilities, books etc then am all for it being pulled down.” (Questionnaire respondent B9B22C99, 2008) Another wrote a conflicting argument, “As far as I can see the only reason the council wants to demolish the present library is to enable some developers and their friends on the council to get rich. A second would be to prevent them from moving the central library to an inaccessible location such

- 65 -

as eastside. Central Services should be centrally located… In my experience (which goes back to the demolition of the previous lending and reference libraries) a great number of books will be junked as being not smart enough for the spanking new shelves. A fifth would be that any new building would inevitably be designed with the new media in mind i.e. more space for computers, far less for books. NB. when the present library was built many books were junked as it was designed with wide open spaces and few shelves. At the time I opposed the building of the present library for much the same reasons as I oppose the idea of replacing it now. This library is bad but any replacement would be worse. Facilis descensus! In essence: I do not trust the council.” (Questionnaire respondent 2ABFC8A9, 2008)

Both respondents raise valid points although the current library could be restored and refurbished to accommodate modern technology. Currently the library has computers on each floor, which are connected to the internet. All that is needed is the right development firm and the council to have the vision to pull it off. The Council’s vision is more of a media centre than a library. There is no point in moving the library if books will be thrown away especially when one of the councils main arguments if that the current library isn’t bit enough to house all the books. If the council wants a technological library mixed with the Birmingham Rep then why not keep the current central library and open a media centre to house all the archives, technology and the latest books. Unfortunately as the council has little money they would not be able to afford to build a media centre and keep the library and they hope to knock down the library and sell off the land to raise revenue for the new “iconic” library. Selling the land to a developer would surely ensure that a non public building will be built on the site and causing more of a blockage across the city centre than the library does.

Madin’s library should stay and stand proud in the city centre. As it seems the council is adamant to build a new “iconic” library, why not keep the old one and convert it into a modern art gallery as

- 66 -

the design of the building naturally lends it to that function. Remove the shops from underneath and the dome on top to create a fantastic public space or even use the central courtyard for large art installations. Creating Birmingham’s own Tate Modern.

The 1960s is an era almost lost in the city, which needs to be preserved for future generations but in 30/40 years when the next wave of development begins the 1990s building will come under threat as they will be seen as an old Birmingham. The council will still be ‘putting the cart before the horse’ when it comes to building demolition but by then the brutalist architecture of the 1960s will be cherished just as much as the Victorian architect is currently.

- 67 -

Bibliography

Articles

Bayley, S. (2008) It’s all change in the second city … again. The Observer, The Guardian [Online] Available at <http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/architecture/story/o,,2288031,00.html> [Accessed 30 June 2008]

Birmingham Council (2008) Shortlist to design library [Online] Available at <www.birmingham.gov.uk/generatecontent? content_item_ID=1709&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=13840&EXPAND=5384> [Accessed 1 July 2008]

Birmingham Council (2008) The library of Birmingham Questions and Answers [Online] Available at <www.birmingham.gov.uk/media/library%20of%20Birmingham%20Questions %20%26%20Answers.pdf?MEDIA_ID=244336&FILENAME=Library%20of%20Birmingham %20Questions%20%26%20Answers.pdf> [Accessed 1 July 2008]

Birmingham Council (2008) Library design team shortlist announced [Online] Available at <www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?

- 68 -

CONTENT_ITEM_ID=128387&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=9&MENU_ID=5384> [Accessed 1 July 2008]

Birmingham Council (2008) Birmingham Central Library immunity for listing [Online] Available at <www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent? CONTENT_ITEM_ID=135199&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MNEU_ID=260> [Accessed 2 July 2008]

Bounds, J (2008) Bigger Picture: Part 2 Should the library stay or go? [Online] Available at <http://www.birminghampost.net/new/newsaggregator/2008/06/24/bigger-picture-part-2-shouldthe-library-stay-or-go-65233-21145730/ [Accessed 26 June 2008]

Dale, P. (2008) Goodbye NEC icon – and a £28m hello to the new LG Arena. Birmingham Post, 3 July 2008

Dale, P. (2008) Mullaney: Save library from demolition [Online] Available at <http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/06/20/library-site-doubts-as-englishheritage-backs-protection-plan-65233-21127098/> [Accessed 26 June]

Dale, P. (2008) Mike Whitby insists private sector high in confidence in Birmingham [Online] Available at <http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/tm_headline=mik… objected=22130170%26print_version=1%26siteid=65233-name_page.html> [Accessed 28 October 2008]

Elkes, N. (2008) In a flap over canal revamp. Birmingham Mail, 23 July 2008, 2

- 69 -

Elkes, N. (2008) Planning city centre ‘eye sore’ should be preserved, say heritage chiefs Library tipped for status. Birmingham Mail, 23 June 2008, 39

Elkes, N. (2008) Curtain up on Brum’s £193m Library [Online] Available at <http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2007/10/12/curtain-up-on-brum-s-193m-library97319-199941535/> [Accessed 17 October 2008]

Geary, J. Birmingham Post (2008) Love it of hate it, city library is a hot topic for out bloggers [Online] Available at <http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/Birminghamcolumnists/agenda/2008/06/26/love-it-or-hate-it-city-library-is-a-hot-topic-for-our-bloggers-6523321156012/> [Accessed 30 June 2008]

Gough, Z. (2003) New Bullring but same old problems [Online] Available at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/England/west_midlands/3201483.stm> [Accessed 2 July 2008]

Lamb, J. (2008) Completing about turn on Rotunda. Birmingham Post [Online] Available at <www.birminghampost.net/comment/Birmingham-columnists?more-columnists/2008/05/20/johnlamb-completing-about-turn-on-rotunda-65233-20937305/> [Accessed 2 July 2008]

Madin, J. (2008) Cutting the cultural and civic heart out of Birmingham [Online] Available at <http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/Birmingham-columnists/agend… bjectid=22000464%26print_version=1%26siteid=65233-name_page.html> [Accessed 30 Octover 2008]

Marks, G. (2008) £600m New Street ‘not big enough’. Birmingham Mail, 21 July 2008, 1

- 70 -

Marshall, D. (2002) Famous Market rings the change [Online] Available at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/England/2015175.stm> [Accessed 3 July 2008]

Naqvi, S. (2008) Warning plans to list library ‘blot’ will impede city progress. The Birmingham Post, 23 June 2008, 1

Perks, J. (2008) Living the High Life. City Living, The Birmingham Post, 22 May 2008, 16-17

Renew Street (2008) A Landmark the city can be proud of A station passengers deserve [Online] Available at <www.renewstreet.co.uk/the_project> [Accessed 21 June 2008)

Rose, S (2008) Don’t knock Brutalism. The Blog Art and Architecture, The Guardian [Online] <http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/art/2008/06/don’t_knock_brutalism.html> [Accessed 2 July 2008]

Scrivens, L (2005) The changing face of Birmingham [Online] Available at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/England/west_midlands/4104476.stm> [Accessed 25 June 2008] Unknown (1999) New sign of life in the city [Online] Available at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/uk/381262.stm> [Accessed 4 July 2008]

Unknown (2002) Prince Praises City’s ‘riches’ [Online] Available at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/England/1958546.stm> [Accessed 4 July 2008]

Unknown (2002) Ugly Shades of Grey [Online] Available at <http.news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2016161.stm> [Accessed 4 July 2008]

Unknown (2003) Britains top 10 eyesores [Online] Available at

- 71 -

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/3265421.stm> [Accessed 25 June 2008]

Unknown (2004) Birminghams provocative curves [Online] Available at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3830525.stm> [Accessed 25 June 2008]

Unknown (2005) ‘Whoe loves ya Brum?’, says Kojak [Online] Available at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/England/west_midlands/4265592.stm> [Accessed 25 June 2008]

Unknown. (2006) New Street petition going to MPs [Online] Available at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/England/west_midlands/6171804.stm> [Accessed 25 June 2008]

Unkown. (2006) New Street’s £500m plans revealed [Online] Available at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/England/wes_midlands/4718276.stm> [Accessed 25 June 2008]

Unknown. (2007) New Street revamp plan ‘on track’ [Online] Available at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/England/west_midlands/6427251.stm> [Accessed 25 June 2008]

Unknown. (2008) Regeneration, Business and Property Review, The Birmingham Post, June 2008, 4

Unknown. (2008) Planning City Centre ‘eyesore’ should be preserved, say heritage chiefs. The Birmingham Mail, 23 June 2008, 39

Unknown. (2008) ‘Ugly’ library may be listed building. The Daily Telegraph, 24 June 2008, 2

Unknown, (2008) Rising to Cube challenge. Business and Property Review, Birmingham Post,

- 72 -

July 2008, 6

Unknown. (2008) Claremont Rotunda sales bucking the credit crunch. City Living, Birmingham Post, 10 July 2008, 19

Unknown. (2008)There’s the Hub…. Work complete on Gun Quarter scheme. City Living, Birmingham Post, 10 July 2008, 19

Unknown, (2008) City host to ‘ugly’ buildings [Online] Available at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/England/7670590.stm> [Accessed 17 October 2008]

Unknown, (2008) Salute to City. Birmingham Post, 28 July, 2008, 9

Unknown. (2008) First Glimpse at city’s future [Online] Available at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/England/2191563> [Accessed 3 July 2008]

Unknown. (2008) Council chooses Argent to develop Birmingham’s paradise Circus [Online] Available at <http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/tm_headline=cou… objected=22069292%26print_version=1%26siteid=65233-name_page.html> [Accessed 28 October 2008]

Unknown (1999) Bullring- symbol of modern Birmingham [Online] Available at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/286054.stm> [Accessed 4 July 2008]

Walker, J. (2007) Tories in pledge on New Street The Birmingham Mail [Online] Available at <http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0010news/0100localnews/tm_headline=tories-in-pledge-on-

- 73 -

new-street&objected=18757427&siteid=50002-name_page.html> [Accessed 25 June 2008]

Books Baird, P. (2004) The Bullring Birmingham. Gloucestershire, Sutton Publishing Limited

Bernardi, D. (2006) Under the Rotunda. Cornwall, Exposure Publishing

Birmingham City Council. (1993) The Birmingham Plan. Birmingham, Birmingham City Council

Bournville Village trust (1941) When We Build Again: A study based on research into conditions of living and working in Birmingham. London, George Allen and Unwin Ltd

Cherry, G.E. (1994) Birmingham A study in geography, history and planning. Chichester, John Wiley and Sons

Chinn, C. (eds.)(2003) Birmingham: Bibliography of a city. Birmingham, University of Birmingham Press

Dick, M. (2005) Birmingham a history of the city and its people. Birmingham, Birmingham Library Services

Flatman, B. (2008) Birmingham: Shaping the city. London, RIBA Publishing

Foster, A. (2005) Birmingham. London, Yale University Press.

Gaunt, N. (2008) Rotunda Twenty One Stories. Worcestshire, Nic Gaunt

- 74 -

Gold, J.R. (2007) The Practice of Modernism: Modern Architects and Urban Transformation, 1954-1972. Oxon, Routledge

Hickman, D. (1970) Birmingham. London, November Books Ltd.

Higgott, A. (2007) Mediating Modernism Architectural Cultures In Britain. Oxon, Routledge

James, P. Upton, C. (2003) A world city Birmingham and its people portrayed. Birmimgham, Birmingham Library Services

Kennedy, L. (eds.)(2004) Remaking Birmingham: The visual culture of urban regeneration. Oxon, Routledge

Manuelli, S. (2006) Design For Shopping New Retail Interiors. London, Laurence King Publishing

Marks, J. (1995) Birmingham’s lost landmarks on old picture postcards. Nottingham, Reflections of a Bygone

Mckenna, J. (2005) Birmingham – the building of a city. Gloucestershire, Tempus Publishing Limited

Murray, P. Trombley, S. (eds.)(1984) Modern British Architecture since 1945. London, Frederick Muller Limited

Papadakis, A. and Papadakis, A. (2003) Innovation from Experimentation to Realisation. London, New Architecture Group Ltd.

- 75 -

Powell, K. (2003) New Architecture in Britain. New York, Merrell Publishers Limited

Shill, R. (2006) Workshop of the World: Birmingham’s Industrial Legacy. Gloucestershire, Sutton Publishing Limited.

Verlagshaun Braun (2007) 1000 x European Architecture

DVD

BD Online (2008) Video: Rotunda the low down [Online] Available at <www.bdonline.co.uk/storey.asp? sectioncode=763&storeycode=3113382&c=1&enccove=00000000014cbe36.> [Accessed 26 June 2008] Birmingham Mail. The Bullring Shopping Centre Birmingham [Online]. Available at <http://www.birminghamail.net/birmingham-videos-pictures/birmingham-history/birminghamhistory-videos/2008/04/18/bullring-shopping-centre-from-the-1950s-97319-20786670/> [Accessed 20 June 2008]

Birmingham Mail. Bullring Shopping Centre from the 1950s (pt 2) [Online]. Available at <http://www.birminghamail.net/birmingham-videos-pictures/birmingham-history/birminghamhistory-videos/2008/04/26/bull-ring-shopping-centre-from-the-1950s-pt-2-97319-20825175/> [Accessed 20 June 2008]

- 76 -

Birmingham Mail. Bullring Shopping Centre from the 1950s (pt 3) [Online]. Available at <http://www.birminghamail.net/birmingham-videos-pictures/birmingham-history/birminghamhistory-videos/2008/05/01/bull-ring-shopping-centre-from-the-1950s-pt-3-97319-20849208/> [Accessed 20 June 2008]

Birmingham Mail. The Making of the Bullring Shopping Centre (part 4) [Online] Available at <http://www.birminghamail.net/birmingham-videos-pictures/birmingham-history/birminghamhistory-videos/2008/05/10/The-making-of-the-bull-ring-shopping-centre-part-4-97319-20889509/> [Accessed 20 June 2008]

Gaunt, N. (2008) 21 stories [DVD].

Heritage Media. 2000 Years in Birmingham: The Story of a City [DVD]

Heritage Media. Birmingham Bygones: The City on Film [DVD]

Heritage Media. The History of The Bullring [DVD]

Essay/papers

Larkham, P.J. (2007) Replanning Birmingham: Process and Product in Post War Reconstruction. Faculty of Law, Humanities, Development and Society Faculty Working Paper Series No.2. Birmingham, UCE Birmingham.

Images

- 77 -

Birmingham 1970s Rotunda, Birmingham, [Online Image] <http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/318458892_553bee20b8.jpg?v=0> [Accessed 3 November 2008]

Chamberlain Square beach and TV [Online Image] <http://www.shakespeareline.com/images/chamberlain_beach_v.jpg> [Accessed 18 December 2008]

Forward_v [Online image] <http://www.shakespeareline.com/images/forward_v.jpg> [Accessed 3 November 2008]

Google map of the Bullring, Birmingham, 3 November 2008 [Online Image] < http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl> [Accessed 3 November 2008]

Google map of Central Library, Birmingham, 3 November 2008 [Online Image] <http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?gbv=2&hl=en&q=birds%20eye%20view%20chamberlain %20square&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=il> [Accessed 3 November 2008]

ICC Exterior [Online Image] <www.theicc.co.uk/ i/gallery/icc_exterior.jpg> [Accessed 3 November 2008] The Cube, architects sketch, 6 April 2007 [Online Image] <http://www.makearchitects.com/#/projects/0012/> [Accessed 4 November 2008]

The Cube, computer rendered apartment view [Online Image] <www.thecubeiscoming.com>

- 78 -

[accessed 4 November 2008]

The Cube, computer rendered exterior view [Online Image] <www.thecubeiscoming.com> [Accessed 4 November 2008]

The Cube, Computer rendered restaurant view [Online Image] <www.thecubeiscoming.com> [accessed 4 November 2008]

The Cube, computer rendered view [Online Image] <http://www.makearchitects.com/#/projects/0012/> [Accessed 4 november 2008]

Victoria Square Architecture, Birmingham, 19 September 2006 [Online image] <http://image57.webshots.com/457/8/13/21/2998813210060122320unnuAo_fs.jpg> [Accessed 3 November 2008]

Interviews

Bounds, J. ([email protected]) (27 August 2008) Birmingham Development

Chinn, C. ([email protected]) (23 October 2008) Birmingham Central library

Gannon, F. (2008) Interview Francis Gannon of Make Architects, 10 July 2008

Hawley, M. (2008) Interview Marcus Hawley Urban Splash and Birmingham Civic Society. 24 July 2008

- 79 -

Lamb. J (2008) Interview Julian Lamb, UCE Faculty of Law, Humanities, Development and Society. 15 July 2008

Larkham, P.J. (2008) Interview Peter Larkham, UCE Faculty of Law, Humanities, Development and Society. 16 July 2008

Selley, C ([email protected]) (24 October 2008) Birmingham Central Library

Radio Programmes

BBC. Listed, BBC Radio 4, 10 October 2008

TV programmes

BBC. Inside Out West Midlands, BBC1, 25 April 2008

Websites

Future Systems Selfridges [Online]. Available at <www.futuresystems.com/architecture/architecture-03.html> [Accessed 21 June 2008]

Glenn Howells Architects The Rotunda Birmingham [Online]. Available at <http://www.glennhowells.co.uk/projects.php?type=LIVING&project=15#> [Accessed 26 June 2008]

Make Architects The architect’s vision [Online] Available at <thecubeiscoming.com/?page_id=28>

- 80 -

[Accessed 23 June 2008]

Make Architects The Cube [Online] Available at <www.makearchitects.com> [Accessed 21 June 2008]

Make Architects What people are saying about The Cube [Online]. Available at <www.thecubeiscoming.com/?page-id=8> [Accessed 21 June 2008]

Network Rail (2008) Birmingham New Street [Online] Available at <http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/779.aspx#contact> [Accessed 27 June]

Rotunda 21 Stories [Online] Available at <http://www.newstrunda.co.uk/newrotunda/ROTUNDA.html> [Accessed 26 June 2008]

Save Birmingham Central Library from Demolition (2008) Facebook Group [Online] Available at <http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5052923835> [Accessed 1 November 2008]

The Friends of Birmingham Central Library (2008) Facebook group [Online] Available at < http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6930638274> [Accessed 1 November 2008]

Urban Splash Rotunda Fact Sheet [Online]. Available at <http://www.urbansplash.co.uk/documents/FS_Rotunda.pdf> [Accessed 20 March 2008]

- 81 -