Video gives sneak peak at new Library of Birmingham
FOLLOWERS of the new Library of Birmingham can now gain a real insight to how the building’s interior will look once completed.
The Electric Cinema, in Birmingham, and Dutch architectural practice Mecanoo have respectively produced two- and six-minute ‘fly through’ films to showcase how the finished £188m library will look.
A launch event was held at the cinema where the two-minute commentated film (below) will also be shown throughout February before movies on screen two.
Francine Houben, Mecanoo’s founder and the brains behind the library, joined city council leader Cllr Mike Whitby and Tom Lawes from the cinema to introduce a special screening.
Ms Houben said: “It’s exciting, you can see how the project is developing from the outside but the real secret is inside the building so I am happy to share this vision.
“My dream is that one day I can put the first book into the bookshelves and that every child in Birmingham will come to the golden top of the library.”
Cllr Whitby added: “I believe that culture underpins civic pride. It’s not just a library in the sense it’s going to host some books.
“This video helps people to understand how ambitious this city is in its art and culture.”
During a tour of the site, Simon Dingle, operations director with project manager Carillion, said he expected the primary services such as electricity and plumbing to start being installed next month.
He also said the project did not suffer delays during the bad weather in December and that up to 75 apprenticeships for young people will have been created by the time it completes.
Next week Carillion will take over the neighbouring REP theatre to begin the renovation work there, meaning forthcoming shows will be taken on tour to venues such as the ICC and Alexandra Theatre.
The library is due for completion in March 2013 with a full opening four months later, once stock has been moved across from Central Library.
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