Library, Birmingham

Winners

Mecanoo

Process

To create a new library to replace the existing 1970’s library.

Our involvement

• Support in advertising the competition in print and on-line media
• Advising on the competition rules
• Appointing an Architect Assessor to join the judging panel
• Acting as point of contact for the competition
• Ensuring a clear and ethical process
• Briefing competitors
• Managing the competitive process
• Liaising with the client’s procurement team to ensure a compliant process
• Facilitating interviews and presentations
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Creating an audit trail
• Assisting with press and media enquiries and coverage
• Competition administration

Facts

• Seven firms of architects were invited to visit the site and submit tenders, and attend a competitive interview.
• Whilst the Client had already appointed a consultant to manage a competition on its behalf, the RIBA was invited to support the project management and to appoint an RIBA Architect Adviser to offer design advise to the Jury.
• The new building is Europe’s biggest and busiest public library building, with an estimated three million people visiting the library each year.
• Sandwiched between a 1930s building and a 1960s theatre, it fronts one of three piazzas.
• The building is made up of a stack of four rectangular volumes, which are staggered to create various canopies and terraces.
• The exterior of the building is designed to reflect Birmingham’s Jewellery quarter.
• The lower level of the building extends out beneath Centenary Square to a sunken circular courtyard that functions as an informal amphitheatre.