Construction of the new £42M library at the University of Birmingham is well underway. Work on the new University of Birmingham library started in March after Carillion was appointed as the main contractor earlier this year. The library, which has been designed by Birmingham-based Associated Architects, will provide outstanding facilities spread over six levels for a new generation of students and researchers, as well as a cultural space for the University it will also be open to the people of Birmingham. The new library will overlook the ‘green heart’ of the university which will be developed once the new facility is open and will be an inspirational place of learning, embracing new and emerging technologies. Study and research desks will be located near to the windows to allow users to benefit from natural light and the views across campus. It will offer a variety of learning spaces and include a state-of-the-art audio listening room and four video editing suite booths to enhance the existing facilities already available on campus. Director of library services at the University of Birmingham, Diane Job, said: “The library we are building now on campus will be transformational. The opening of the building will be the culmination of a lot of hard work behind the scenes to organise our incredible resources in ways which will allow our students and staff to take advantage of new ways of working and access the considerable amount of materials we hold in the most straightforward way. The new library will be the most fantastic space for students and researchers to be able to interact with these resources – and we are so excited to see it taking shape before our eyes.” The new library will offer a 50% reduction in energy usage compared to the existing library, helping the university to achieve its 20 per cent CO2 reduction by 2020. It will have a Excellent BREEAM rating. Paul Reynolds, Carillion Regional Director said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the University of Birmingham to provide this wonderful new library facility which we hope will enhance the learning experience for students for many years to come.” The building is due to be completed in March 2016. (Images: Warren Jukes/Associated Architects)
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:00:18 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015