Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[Tal]

Yep. She's a beaut. This is replacing the library Prince Charles once described as the ugliest building he'd ever seen (something like that anyway).

You'd think they'd therefore go for a simple design, wouldn't you? Something functional and classic. Nah.

[tikay]

Yep. She's a beaut. This is replacing the library Prince Charles once described as the ugliest building he'd ever seen (something like that anyway).

You'd think they'd therefore go for a simple design, wouldn't you? Something functional and classic. Nah.

Seems a tad unfair, looks just fine to me.

[pleno1]

Are we allowed to discuss next door on here?

[tikay]

Are we allowed to discuss next door on here?

Within reason, yes, of course. Can't do spammy stuff though. 

[Laxie]

That building looks like it's covered in barbed wire!  More like a prison than a library. 

[Tal]

It's like Lego and Meccano have had a love-in.

[Tal]

The old library cost £4.7m in 1974.

Without looking...what is the estimated cost of the new library?

[tikay]

The old library cost £4.7m in 1974.

Without looking...what is the estimated cost of the new library?

£300 million?

[tikay]

Just googled it, estimated cost £188.5 million.

£300 million will be about right, then.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Birmingham

[Tal]

Nearly two Gareth Bales

[tikay]

Tikay + Pi = Fray Bentos.

You are not helping.......

[Tal]

Prince Charles said the old building looked more like a place for burning books than keeping them.

It is apparently an example of the Brutalist style. Me neither.

[tikay]

Prince Charles said the old building looked more like a place for burning books than keeping them.

It is apparently an example of the Brutalist style. Me neither.

When I hear "brutalist" as to architecture, I immediately think of another Library. In this case even more brutal, plonked as it is right next to the world's most beautiful railway station.

[Redsgirl]

Well I think its stunning. Who wants a boring grey block when you can have a great big in your face piece of art.
The fact that its the library makes it even better. Well done Birmingham for celebrating your centre of knowledge whilst other places are closing theirs down.

I'm not the only one to think so either. I was amused when a very sober looking, suited gentleman I asked for directions to an arcade in Brum recently all but dragged me round a corner to point it out to me. 'Have you seen our new library?' he said, grinning proudly. 'Its just by there'.

[tikay]

Well I think its stunning. Who wants a boring grey block when you can have a great big in your face piece of art.
The fact that its the library makes it even better. Well done Birmingham for celebrating your centre of knowledge whilst other places are closing theirs down.

I'm not the only one to think so either. I was amused when a very sober looking, suited gentleman I asked for directions to an arcade in Brum recently all but dragged me round a corner to point it out to me. 'Have you seen our new library?' he said, grinning proudly. 'Its just by there'.

Ahem.

Not me, M'aam, not me.