Comments on: Library of Birmingham by Mecanoo Architecten http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/ architecture and design magazine Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:37:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: James Last http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/comment-page-1/#comment-315060 James Last Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:31:43 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/#comment-315060 Sadly, this building will be to the detriment of the city of Birmingham. The current library, although large and overbearing, was at least an interesting design and just needed some TLC and the 70s rubbish removing from around it. I guarantee that Birmingham City Council will be selling off the Paradise area to developers who will occupy a large swathe of central Birmingham that is at present used by the people of the city. This present design incorporates prayer rooms, which were demanded by Muslims if the city, via a petition, so the new library will double as a semi-religious building, a big mistake IMO. The cladding is attractive, however the overall design is extremely unimaginative, and the shape mimics an early artists impression, I wonder if they will be paid handsomely by Mecanoo for ripping off their idea? The people of Birmingham deserve something far more futuristic and elegant, a real shame the Rodgers design was shelved for this blot. Sadly, this building will be to the detriment of the city of Birmingham. The current library, although large and overbearing, was at least an interesting design and just needed some TLC and the 70s rubbish removing from around it.

I guarantee that Birmingham City Council will be selling off the Paradise area to developers who will occupy a large swathe of central Birmingham that is at present used by the people of the city.

This present design incorporates prayer rooms, which were demanded by Muslims if the city, via a petition, so the new library will double as a semi-religious building, a big mistake IMO.

The cladding is attractive, however the overall design is extremely unimaginative, and the shape mimics an early artists impression, I wonder if they will be paid handsomely by Mecanoo for ripping off their idea?

The people of Birmingham deserve something far more futuristic and elegant, a real shame the Rodgers design was shelved for this blot.

]]> By: tom http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/comment-page-1/#comment-261127 tom Mon, 04 May 2009 03:57:27 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/#comment-261127 its an ok building, i dont think it deserves all this negative feedback though, thats for sure its an ok building, i dont think it deserves all this negative feedback though, thats for sure

]]> By: pilaroida http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/comment-page-1/#comment-253895 pilaroida Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:26:05 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/#comment-253895 someone said that this reminded the shutters of Jean Nouvel's Institute du Monde Arabe... To me this remind me lacing... "Lip my socks Mister Harry!" ;p someone said that this reminded the shutters of Jean Nouvel’s Institute du Monde Arabe… To me this remind me lacing… “Lip my socks Mister Harry!” ;p

]]> By: ddragon http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/comment-page-1/#comment-253555 ddragon Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:04:38 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/#comment-253555 it is scarily huge, but the Islamic detailing is gorgeous, reminds me of the Islamic Museum in Paris with its fantastic "shutter" design windows.. and don't forget Birmingham is also "Shoppingham"!! our most iconic modern building to date is a department store!!! the new library will give it a run for its money.. is very exciting, which one will win? dull designer-logo gear or learning?? Birmingham will decide..... it is scarily huge, but the Islamic detailing is gorgeous, reminds me of the Islamic Museum in Paris with its fantastic “shutter” design windows.. and don’t forget Birmingham is also “Shoppingham”!! our most iconic modern building to date is a department store!!! the new library will give it a run for its money.. is very exciting, which one will win? dull designer-logo gear or learning?? Birmingham will decide…..

]]> By: RS http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/comment-page-1/#comment-250729 RS Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:15:06 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/#comment-250729 Whether you like this building or not the position is appalling. It blocks the front of Baskerville House next door which looks great across the open space which exists. It just looks crammed in! An alternative would be in place of the multi storey car park behind Baskerville, which could then be replaced below ground or above the nearby New St railway lines which is dead space. At least its now the right side of the City to be used. Whether you like this building or not the position is appalling. It blocks the front of Baskerville House next door which looks great across the open space which exists. It just looks crammed in! An alternative would be in place of the multi storey car park behind Baskerville, which could then be replaced below ground or above the nearby New St railway lines which is dead space. At least its now the right side of the City to be used.

]]> By: brum http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/comment-page-1/#comment-250367 brum Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:27:57 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/#comment-250367 this project means jobs! this is actually going to get built and people are going to be able to keep their houses. Probably the only major project to go up in the next few years - make the most of it haters! this project means jobs! this is actually going to get built and people are going to be able to keep their houses. Probably the only major project to go up in the next few years – make the most of it haters!

]]> By: Moxikito http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/comment-page-1/#comment-250314 Moxikito Tue, 07 Apr 2009 08:03:09 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/#comment-250314 People chill out! It is just something that is ment to have books inside. As long as it ticks all the boxes in health and safety the brits are happy. Not the best they have done, but it is not made of red brick like the rest of the dull, ugly, grey england. That has got to be worth something! People chill out!
It is just something that is ment to have books inside. As long as it ticks all the boxes in health and safety the brits are happy.

Not the best they have done, but it is not made of red brick like the rest of the dull, ugly, grey england.

That has got to be worth something!

]]> By: Vico http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/comment-page-1/#comment-250128 Vico Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:07:30 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/#comment-250128 It will be a box, with a pattern, and some stuff inside. That's for sure. It will be a box, with a pattern, and some stuff inside. That’s for sure.

]]> By: boppie http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/comment-page-1/#comment-250122 boppie Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:50:34 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/#comment-250122 What's the deal with the pattern? They use an extremely similar pattern for the international crime court building in The Hague.... What’s the deal with the pattern?
They use an extremely similar pattern for the international crime court building in The Hague….

]]> By: Rokas http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/comment-page-1/#comment-250093 Rokas Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:08:29 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/02/library-of-birmingham-by-mecanoo-architecten/#comment-250093 seems like its meant to be in Dubai? seems like its meant to be in Dubai?

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