MAKEOVER
BIRMINGHAM GETS BRAZILIAN
The Library of Birmingham recently got itself a Brazilian… a whole range of Brazilian Slate tiles from Carillion, we mean. Fila were in charge of the initial wash, the sealing and the maintenance; we found out more.
A Fila surface care regime was specified for the new, award-winning Library of Birmingham and adjoining Repertory Theatre. The £189million library, which has a BREEAM-excellent rating, is the largest public building of its kind in Europe. FILA Cleaner and LEED-compliant FILAW68 were specified for the initial wash, sealing and maintenance of over 1,800m2
of
THE INSTALLATION IN NUMBERS
1 million books 4 tile formats 10 levels 1,800m2
Brazilian Slate, installed throughout the ground floor circulation areas by W B Simpson & Sons (Midlands) Ltd for main contractor, Carillion.
of slate
£1.5 million visitors in seven months £189 million library
Designed by Delft-based architects, Mecanoo, The Library of Birmingham is a high-tech architectural structure spread over 10 levels and situated in Centenary Square, on the west side of the city. It houses a collection of one million books, including Shakespeare’s first folio, and since opening on the 3rd September 2013, has already welcomed over 1.5 million visitors.
Externally, the library comprises a series of glazed box-shaped structures clad in a delicate metal filigree, arranged over a glazed ground floor and topped by a rotunda, which houses the historic Shakespeare Memorial Room. Internally, circular voids lined with books provide a sight line to the very top of the building and, on the ground floor, the Library and Repertory Theatre adjoin.
Four Brazilian Slate tile formats were specified and fixed, by W B Simpson & Sons (Midlands) Ltd, in a traditional Romaans Verband pattern. After installation, FILA Cleaner was used to carry out an initial wash. The surface was then treated with FILAW68; a water- based stain-proofing protector, which is designed for internal and exterior porous surfaces. The non film-forming
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ABOUT THE LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAM
The Library of Birmingham is a showcase for the city’s internationally important collections of archives, photography and rare books. New facilities, including a state- of-the-art gallery space, open up public access to the collections for the first time. It is also home to a BFI Mediatheque, providing free access to the National Film Archive. Other facilities include a new flexible studio theatre, an outdoor amphitheatre and other informal performance spaces, a recording studio, and dedicated spaces for children and teenagers. Described by its architect, Mecanoo’s Creative Director Francine Houben, as a ‘people’s palace’, the Library of Birmingham is highly accessible and family-friendly.
treatment seals and protects without altering appearance, and both products are offered as part of Fila’s Green Line. FILA Cleaner was recommended for ongoing maintenance; the highly concentrated, pH-neutral solution leaves no residue and requires no rinsing at the maintenance dilution.
www.filasolutions.com
www.tomorrowsflooring.com
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