Library of Birmingham could be city's grand design, says Kevin McCloud
Oct 8 2010 By Christina Savvas
Birmingham’s new landmark library could lead to one of the greatest architecture events in Europe – “if it works” according to celebrity architecture expert Kevin McCloud.
The presenter of Channel 4’s Grand Designs said that the city would get a new “statement cultural landmark” in the form of the new library, which has been designed by Francine Houben of Netherlands-based Mecanoo.
But he said the public realm design would have to be right to ensure it has the desired impact on the city – and he added that he is a fan of the Central Library building designed by John Madin.
He said: “The new library is going to be an interesting building, a big one and I suspect it’s going to be rather a beautiful building. I know the architect Francine and I really like Mecanoo’s work. I can see that Birmingham wanted a big statement, cultural, landmark building which is what it’s going to get.
“It’s a big pre-recessionary idea, but at the same time a powerful one and I think you have to understand the building in relation to the overall scheme for the city centre which is quite exciting.”
The Library of Birmingham is a central plank in the city council’s Big City Plan. The building, connected to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, will cover 31,000 sq m across 10 levels. Construction is on schedule with opening planned for 2013.
Mr McCloud began his career as a singer and musician before going to Cambridge University where he started several different degree course before finally reading history of art and architecture.
He retrained as a designer after graduating from university, firstly creating sets for theatres before setting up his own lighting and furniture design business, which he sold in 1999 as his TV career took off, initially appearing in Home Front and Don’t Look Down, then Grand Designs.
He believes that “walk-ability and greater fluidity” is important for a city’s regeneration and will play a vital role in Birmingham.
“There is Big Brum and the Council House building, then there is the library designed by Madin which is vast and a slope up to it. Further along there is the octagonal building – the memorial in front of the beautiful Baskerville House.
“The new library will be next to this, connected to the Rep. The Paradise Forum building is right in the way and I think with that gone, you will get this wonderful sweeping rise up to the library. If it works it’s going to be one of the great architecture events in European cities... if it works.
“The reason it’s going to work is partly because you have got a Portland stone facade, a wonderful building taken from the Temple of the Four Winds in Athens. Then you have the old Town Hall by Hanson, which is one of my favourite buildings in Britain, let alone Birmingham.
