Centenary Square redesign options go on public display
SHORTLISTED designs for a competition to redesign one of Birmingham’s largest public squares are to go on display.
The competition, launched by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Landscape Institute on behalf of Birmingham City Council, offered architects and designers the opportunity to redesign Centenary Square.
Five designs were shortlisted from nearly 200 entries submitted earlier this year. Each of the finalists was given £5,000 to help them develop their initial concepts into detailed proposals.
The five finalists are:
• Atkins, Birmingham
• Barton Willmore, Reading
• Broadway Malyan, Birmingham
• Graeme Massie Architects, Edinburgh
• Open Studio Architects with United Visual Artists, London
They will present their designs to the judging panel on June 5, with the winner being selected by the end of June.
See all the designs below
Cllr Ian Ward, deputy leader of Birmingham City Council and a member of the judging panel, said: “The response to this competition has been phenomenal and the standard of designs submitted has been exceptionally high, making the judging process all the more difficult.”
Chris Webster, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) Board director, said: “I am extremely impressed by the quality of the five designs. Each of them presents a different vision of how this important public space in the heart of Birmingham could be transformed. I hope that as many people as possible share their views on the proposals to help us choose the winner. We want the design to befit the iconic and historic buildings around Centenary Square and create a space that those of us who live, work and visit the city can enjoy.”
The redevelopment of the Centenary Square is part of a £30m city centre public realm improvement programme that is being funded via the GBSLEP’s £275m Enterprise Zone investment plan.
Work to implement the winning design, once it has been chosen, will be carried out by Thomas Vale in partnership with Fitzgerald Civil Engineering, both Birmingham-based contractors.
These proposals go on public display at the Library of Birmingham from today (May 22) until Saturday May 30 (excluding May 25 – Bank Holiday Monday). The exhibition takes place on the third floor and is accessible during the library’s opening hours of 11am to 5pm (7pm on Tuesday). The library is closed on Sunday.
Additionally, members of the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite design, both at the exhibition itself and online at http://www.ribacompetitions.com/centenarysquare/. The outcome of this public consultation will be taken into consideration by the judging panel when they make their final assessment.
