Oct 2014
The Library of Birmingham was shortlisted in this year's RIBA Sterling award for the best new building. The 6 exceptional shortlisted buidlings also include:
The RIBA Sterling prize, named after architect James Sterling, is a prize for excellent in architecture, and awarded to the architects of the building which has made the greatest contribution to British architecture in the past year.
Designed by Dutch Architects Mecanoo, the new Library of Birmingham covers ten floors, nine floors above ground and one below ground. Playing an important role in Birmingham’s Centenary Square, the new Library of Birmingham is an impressive and bold addition to the city, a truly public and civic building.
The library also meets the City Council’s request that it achieve BREEAM Excellent rating. The cost-effective solution adopted by the design team minimises the building’s energy consumption by maximising its passive performance. The final form and layout of the building is designed to maximise the potential of natural ventilation as part of the low-energy, mixed-mode ventilation solution.
Colt’s contribution to this solution included natural ventilators and Universal Louvres to provide natural ventilation and regulate internal temperature. Colt also designed and installed a smoke control system for the building and ventilation for the car park.
For a full description of Colt's contribution to the Library, read our case history.
Despite winning the public opinion, The Library of Birmingham lost out to the Everyman Theare, Liverpool.
Full details of the 6 finalists can be found here.
