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Public profile
When it comes to public buildings, architects are sometimes criticised for focusing too much on the appearance of the structure and not enough on the needs of the end user and how they will experience the space.
That couldn’t be said about the architects responsible for the largest public library in Europe, the new Library of Birmingham.
People’s palace
The £188.8m Library of Birmingham is designed to cater for people of all ages and backgrounds enticing passers-by to enter and embark on a journey of discovery.
(See page 15)
Designed by Dutch practice Mecanoo, the £188.8m library puts the public at the heart of the design. Sitting in the city’s largest square, this vast public space is designed for everyone and the different ways that they may want to consume knowledge. As founder of Mecanoo, Francine Houben, says: “The modern library is no longer solely the domain of the book – it is a place with all types of content and for all types of people.”
The result is what she describes as a ‘people’s palace’: an inviting, welcoming, inspiring public building for all ages and backgrounds.
Editor Vicky Kiernander
Sales director Julian Walter
National sales manager Paul Turner
Sales executive Emily Veal
Production Gina Mitchell
Design Sandra Cid
Accounts Kim Filby
Publisher Toby Filby
Astley Castle, the winner of this year’s RIBA Stirling prize couldn’t be a more different public building. The former home of Lady Jane Grey, this historic treasure has been saved from dereliction and transformed into a modern holiday home. Yet, like the Library of Birmingham, its success is due to a thorough understanding by the architects, Witherford Watson Mann, of the needs of today’s holiday home guests.
A modern house set within an ancient shell, Astley Castle combines light, space and all the mod cons for today’s guests with the experience of living in a near 1,000-year old building. Which is why it has established itself as the ‘people’s winner’ in a number of public polls and is booked up for months in advance!
MEDIA
Publishers Stable Publishing Limited SBC House, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH, England. T. 020 8288 1080 F. 020 8288 1099 E.
sales@leisuredab.co.uk www.leisuredab.co.uk
Vicky Kiernander Editor
vicky@leisuredab.co.uk
The publishers do not necessarily agree with views expressed by contributors and cannot accept responsibility for claims made by manufacturers and authors, nor do they accept any responsibility for any errors in the subject matter of this publication.
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Image: Christian Richters
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