Buro Happold to deliver new £193M library for Birmingham

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Consulting engineers Buro Happold have been announced as engineers for a new Birmingham Library by Birmingham City Council, joining a team with Dutch architects Mecanoo.

The new library will be built on a former car park on Centenary Square.  It will be on the same site as the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the new library and the theatre will share a number of facilities including a new 300 seat auditorium, meeting and conference rooms, plus cafe and restaurant facilities

Birmingham's existing Central Library is the busiest public library in Britain and the city's most visited public building. However the building fabric of the early 1970s building requires a major renovation and the layout is no longer suitable for modern day usage.

In addition to this the library houses archives, photography and rare printed collections of national and international significance in storage facilities lacking proper climate control; all issues the new complex will rectify.

Buro Happold principal, Rod Manson said "We are exceptionally proud to be involved with this landmark development for Birmingham; the new library and theatre facilities will change the face of Centenary Square and Westside as well as providing the whole city with an educational resource and archive provisions to the highest international standards."

The final designs will be revealed early next year.