Library of Birmingham, Birmingham

This 35,000 m2 library includes a community health centre, exhibition halls and a shared auditorium with neighbouring theatre; its multi-purpose nature called for a robust, yet grand design.

Birmingham City Council’s target for the library to be BREEAM ‘Excellent’ was made possible by ensuring thermal mass was integral to the building’s energy strategy and the concrete structure and design worked to deliver efficient operational energy use.  

Birmingham library is a hub for the community and incorporates a children’s library, public library and archive. Movement around the library is smooth and the journey between each floor is akin to an actor entering the stage; everything is grand and has a presence.

Materially efficient post-tensioned concrete slabs, transfer walls and arches were used. The durability and versatility of this concrete structure can ensure that this building will play a role in the community for generations to come. This is resource efficient.

The inherent fire resistance of concrete offers superior levels of public safety and protection for the important books housed here.  Benefits such as these, as well as superior cost and programme are why ultimately concrete was the material of choice for this £186m building.

The Library of Birmingham is a West Midlands National RIBA Award winner 2014 and was shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2014.