Library of Birmingham

Opened on 3rd of September 2013, the Library of Birmingham

offers world class facilities and resources to transform lives

through learning, knowledge and culture, providing an exciting

and inspiring visitor experience for all.

Designed by Dutch architects Mecanoo, the £186m building,

was a key part of Birmingham’s “big city” regeneration plan.

The new building is situated in the cultural heart of the city,

comprising of performance spaces, rooftop terraces and a

large glass-topped central book rotunda that rises through

the middle of the building, echoing the traditional great round

reading room of the British Museum. It shares an entrance

way and performance studio with the neighbouring Repertory

Theatre, whilst the Symphony Hall and the National Indoor

Arena are situated nearby.

The intricate steel lattice work that covers the outside of

the building represents both the city’s industrial past and

its heritage in jewellery making. It reflects and dissects the

daylight to create ever-changing shadows on the library’s walls

and floors. The golden rotunda at the top of the building sits

the Shakespeare memorial room, housing the original carved

wood panels from the memorial room at the city’s demolished

Victorian Library.

Allgood supplied a full Alite package that included door

furniture, signage and mechanical door hardware, while

Allgood Trio supplied electronic locks and key switches. Due

to the specific requirements of the design of some of the

doors, Allgood had to supply bespoke products to match the

specification of the project.

On 17 July 2014 the Library of Birmingham was nominated as

one of the six short-listed buildings for the 2014 Stirling Prize,

awarded for excellence in architecture