Buro Happold has won the tender for a new £193m library development in Birmingham, following a seven-way tender process.

The consultancy is to work on the project with Dutch architectural practice Mecanno, and the new library is to share a site with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

The new library and the theatre will join together to share a number of facilities, which includes a new 300-seat auditorium, meeting and conference rooms, plus café and restaurant facilities.

Buro Happold principal, Rod Manson, said: “We are exceptionally proud to be involved in this landmark development for Birmingham; the new library and theatre facilities will change the face of Centenary Square and Westside as well as providing the whole city with an educational resource and archive provisions to the highest international standards. We are delighted that our specialist library design capability from our Glasgow office will be leading the design process with our good friends at Mecanoo, we can’t wait to get started.”

Built in the early 1970s, the existing Central Library is in need of renovation and the layout, as well as the archiving facilities, is no longer suitable for modern day usage. The library is the busiest public library in the UK and the city’s most visited public building.

Source

Building Sustainable Design