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| Library Of Birmingham, September 2013 |
Having already written about
the most recent two-wheeled foray along the canal towpaths of Birmingham, this
post covers what happened when we got back into town and, in particular, some
impressions of the spectacular new Library Of Birmingham. Designed by architects, Mecanoo and
engineers, Buro Happold, the library has been shaping up as a major landmark
for some time [1.] but it was still a revelation to see it
completed, in it’s own space, and free of the builder’s clutter of its
construction phase. Dave, my cycling
companion, had already visited the building once and described its impressive
internal spaces and upper terraces with their views over the city.
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| Library Of Birmingham, September 2013 |
However, the first impression, on approaching the building, is of its dramatic exterior, comprising a massing of simple monumental forms, enveloped in a complex lattice of interlocking metal rings. As with the Nottingham Contemporary gallery, this decorative detail is a conscious reference to the city’s industrial traditions, (in this case, of metalworking and jewelry manufacture). Like that building, the library also features significant areas of the gold-coloured cladding that seems so popular with the architects of such projects these days. Neither building is exactly elegant but both are striking and make a clear statement of cultural and civic intent.
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| Library Of Birmingham, September 2013 |
In Birmingham’s case this is on a grand scale and it cheers me that something as woefully undervalued these days as a library, has received such a self confident treatment. I suppose one could cavil at such an extravagant and official ‘top-down’ gesture, or accuse the library of merely contributing to the overall stock of cultural spectacle. Nevertheless, situated so close to the temples of consumerism and capital in Birmingham city centre and the anesthetic weekend Babylon of Broad Street, this is at least a place anyone could go to find out for free what all this talk of ‘Spectacle’ is all about in the first place.
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| Library Of Birmingham, September 2013 |
I’m also sure many naysayers will criticise Birmingham’s civic leaders for spending public funds so lavishly on something as supposedly outmoded as a public library. These are probably the same people who are happy to see ever greater amounts of public provision slip away into the hands of private interests or who would have us all sofa-bound, staring mutely into tiny screens, whilst tidbits of infotainment are drip-fed to us by what amount to online global advertising companies. Instead, whilst there will no shortage of digital portals in the new library, there are opportunities to access information and resources in various ways, (including the National Film Archive). This is a two way street in terms of its own online presence.
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| Library Of Birmingham, September 2013 |
The physical space looks large, (and hopefully flexible), enough to accomodate changing future usage, and includes a café, children’s play area, gallery and performance facillities. This is far from a traditional book depository and much more of a people’s palace of enlightenment. Beyond its obvious functions, it’s a place one might drop into for a coffee or an impromptu meeting, to read, get on with some work or just hang out at the heart of Brum’s ‘cultural offer’. Of course, much will hinge on whether the council can maintain at least some of its local library provision alongside the new flagship, but if the people of Birmingham can’t make good use of all that, we might as well just give up on this country altogether.
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| Library Of Birmingham, September 2013 |
Once inside the building, the visitor’s eye is drawn to a cavernous entrance space and the procession of blue neon-lit escalators that ascend the building. Riding these affords some truly dynamic viewpoints and we both got busy with our cameras on the return to ground level. I was also very impressed with the rotunda shaped areas that recall the old Reading Room of The British Museum and other august repositories of knowledge. These cylindrical spaces piercing different levels are a recurring motif throughout the complex, echoing the external rings and alluded to by the drum structure that surmounts the entire building.
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| Views From Library Of Birmingham, September 2013 |
I won’t pretend the building is a total success. The main powered revolving entrance is plain confusing and keeps stopping as soon as it is pushed; surely architects and engineers should have worked this out with reference to human behavior by now? Having only just opened, the whole building was thronged with curious visitors and the narrowness of various doorways, pinch points and internal gangways was very noticeable. I was also underwhelmed by the dismal, narrow staircase that leads to the uppermost floors, (for those not content to queue for the inadequate lifts). This just felt like the money had run out (quite possible, I suppose). In fairness, many spaces should feel freer once the initial crowds thin out and the library settles into its more normal routine.
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| Views From Library Of Birmingham, September 2013 |
One thing certainly worth visiting for is the view. The architects have included two elevated exterior spaces, (the uppermost being designated ‘The Secret Garden’), offering panoramic views over the city on all sides. In an age when access to such vantage points is becoming increasingly restricted and/or monetised, that’s of considerable significance and adds a whole other dimension to the library. It may seem a small thing but I believe that offering citizens (and tax payers) the chance to gaze down on their city for free, and thus gain new perspectives on their own lives, is exactly what one might expect of an enlightened public institution. I guess I’m biased but the ability to view the world from different angles and without let or hindrance, feels like a right and not a privilege to me.
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| View From Library Of Birmingham, September 2013 |
We spent some time taking in the views, pointing our cameras over the parapet, and discussing where we’d been earlier in the day and where future expeditions might take us. Of particular visual interest to me were a nearby multi-story car park, with its patterns of markings and parked cars, and the tangle of ducting and services on the roof of the adjacent Rep Theatre. Another nearby landmark is the ugly monumental structure housing Birmingham’s previous Central Library. This is slated for demolition and perhaps, more than any other building, epitomises Brum’s old reputation as a post-war concrete jungle. On our way, we had viewed the fascinating display of photos [2.] documenting both its construction in the 70s and the burnt-out Victorian institution it in turn replaced. Despite its grim dystopian aspect and tawdry, fast food-tainted arcade, I have a perverse affection for this road-spanning edifice and we ended our day taking photos around the back of there as the light faded.
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| View From Library Of Birmingham: The Old Library, September 2013 |
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| View From Library Of Birmingham: Birmingham Rep, September 2013 |
More of that another time…
[1.]: Construction started in January 2010.
[2.]: These exhibitions of photography in outdoor
public spaces are something that Birmingham is rather good at.
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