demolition work under way at birmingham's central library

demolition work under way at birmingham’s central library
(above) birmingham central library standing in the city’s chamberlain square

demolition work is set to begin in birmingham at the site of the british city’s former central library. the building, designed by the late john madin, is seen by many as a prime example of brutalist architecture, a movement that thrived from the 1950s until the mid-1970s.

the structure, which was once referred to as ‘a place for burning books, rather than keeping them’, by keen architecture critic prince charles, had failed to achieve the listed status required to protect it from demolition. the interior of the concrete landmark will now be stripped out, before the distinctive exterior cladding is torn down later this year. in 2013, a new library – designed by dutch practice mecanoo – opened in the nearby centenary square, leaving the original building vacant. 

the first phase involves the construction of two office buildings designed by glenn howells (left) and eric parry (right)
image courtesy of argent

in its place, a £550 million development will attempt to transform the prominent square with new buildings including grade A offices, retail outlets and a 250 room hotel. named ‘paradise‘, the commercially driven project will also seek to provide improved circulation routes among the city’s public squares.

starting in january 2015, the first phase of the masterplan involves the construction of two office buildings built directly adjacent to chamberlain square, designed by eric parry and glenn howells respectively. over the next ten years, the development is expected to create 15,000 new jobs, with an overall completion date scheduled for 2025.

the development will attempt to transform the area with ten new buildings
image courtesy of argent

chamberlain square is also home to birmingham’s grade I listed town hall
image courtesy of argent

a new passageway will connect chamberlain square with centenary square
image courtesy of argent

the route will form a pathway leading towards the city’s new library and its adjacent concert halls
image courtesy of argent

site plan indicating the scale of the development
image courtesy of argent

an aerial view of ‘paradise’ in the context of birmingham’s key buildings
image courtesy of argent

top photograph of birmingham central library taken by erebus555