I have no real intention of following the interminable shenanigans surrounding the new library. However, I reckon it’s worth announcing that the contract to design the new building has been given to Mecanoo (whose buildings had better be more attractive and useable than their website).
The new library, which at the rate things seem to be going won’t be built in any of our lifetimes (although 2013 has been mooted), is to be built in Centenary Square and will incorporate The REP, who have been quick to report on the appointment.
There’s more info from The Birmingham Post and Property Week.
In the meantime, here’s one Mecanoo prepared earlier – the National Kaohsiung Performing Arts Center in Taiwan:
The urge to find a picture of a building made out of Meccano was very nearly overwhelming.
He is one that is being held up by Meccano in Moseley
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2735290947_377da7a66e_o.jpg
As I understand it the building is falling down a old well in between
the two shops one is insured the
other isn’t
The insurance company of the newsagents won’t pay the whole bill so the owners
of the restaurant have been given a
month to come up with the money or
the council is going to erected the scaffolding inside the restaurant
and charge them for doing so
Barnard
… and there’s me, thinking it was art…