Library of Birmingham photographers

On our recent visit to Birmingham we discovered that the city centre is, essentially, a building site. New buildings are springing up, old buildings are being refurbished, and the new tramway, we are told, has stopped running so that further extensions can be made to the system.

 The completed Library of Birmingham offers several high level views of the bustle below and I made a mental note to take a few photographs from these vantage points on our next visit. Today's offerings shows photographers who were using the viewpoints as we looked up from below.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

The Library of Birmingham

The Library of Birmingham is a "statement building". Like all such buildings it seeks to assert the status of the city: in this case Birmingham's position as England's "second city" after London. The Library opened in 2013 and is the work of a Dutch firm of architects called Mecanoo. It is the largest public library in Europe with facilities above and below ground. Non-library additions include a sunken amphitheatre and rooftop gardens. The exterior of the building "references" Birmingham's "Jewellery Quarter" and the city's long history involving this craft. Public opinion is divided on the merits of the library. Despite my admiration for examples of architecture from all periods I find myself in the "dislike" camp: the building is an alien presence in its location.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300