LOCATION: Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, West Midlands B3 3HQ, UK
ARCHITECT: John Madin
DATES: 1969-1973
NOTES: Closed since 2013, demolition planned for 2015.
Site Visit: Sat Jun 28, Sun Jun 29, Tues Jul 1 2014
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The Birmingham Central Library is at great risk of demolition. Upon the 2013 completion of the new Library of Birmingham, Madin’s 1973 design was closed and is slatted for demolition by the developers Argent Group as part of their Paradise Circus redevelopment plan – renderings of which look exceedingly bland. The redevelopment literature itself even quite explicitly admits this: “It is widely acknowledged that the buildings immediately adjacent to Paradise Circus comprise one of the finest collections of Victorian civic buildings in the UK. Our proposals will return a number of these very important buildings to a setting in which they can be properly appreciated and viewed.” Read: the new buildings will be so unremarkable and milquetoast that they won’t even dare take any of your focus away from these “historic” buildings!
Given the once-maligned state of Victorian architecture (one that the current public distaste for Brutalist echoes quite uncannily), the entire redevelopment’s ethos seems almost a parody. Destroying “old” buildings in order to better highlight older buildings that were once themselves nearly destroyed under a similar stylistic rejection… Alas.
Despite support from numerous organizations (both local and national), petitions, and multiple formal listing designation applications, unfortunately the future does look rather grim for the Birmingham Central Library. English Heritage has applied twice for Grade II listing, but to their great dismay was denied both times. The rejection of the most recent application resulted in immunity from listing until 2016, meaning that no additional attempts for protection of the building can be made until that time. With active redevelopment plans in the pipeline it seems unlikely that, short of a tidal wave of public support, the building will be spared the wrecking ball. A frustrating and tragic loss indeed.
But all hope is not lost! And this is where you can help:
Follow @KeeptheZiggurat on Twitter for updates and use the hashtag #keeptheziggurat to show your support. Additional links and information at the bottom of the page.
RELEVANT LINKS
Campaign to Save the Birmingham Library
http://keeptheziggurat.tumblr.com/
Change.org – Petition to find alternate uses for the Birmingham Central Library
Twentieth Century Society – Birmingham Central Library Casework
English Heritage – Birmingham Central Library Report
World Monuments Fund 2012 Watch List – British Brutalism (including Birmingham Library)