Birmingham Library
“The largest library in the whole of the UK, designed with the community in mind.”
The Library of Birmingham is one of Europe’s largest public libraries and a landmark cultural building in the heart of the city. Designed by Dutch architect Francine Houben, the building provides opportunities for local people to access learning, information and cultural expression through written, audio, visual and interactive resources.
The Project
Francine Houben, a Dutch architect, wanted to provide opportunities for local people to access learning, information and cultural expression through written print, audio, visual and interactive resources and technologies.
Bespoke perimeter access flooring solutions were developed for this project — each level requiring different pedestal diameters to suit the unique design of the building.
The Product
30,000
H-Range pedestals installed
20,798m²
Total floor space
10
Floors
2013
Completed September
No.1
Largest library in the UK
2014
RIBA West Midlands Building of the Year
The Result
Completed in September 2013, over 30,000 Grainger H-Range raised access flooring pedestals were installed by Carillion and Capita Symonds, providing a highly durable and decorative floor under which cabling could be routed — tucking all important services safely out of harm’s reach.
The fashionable design was quickly accepted and turned into fruition, winning multiple awards and cementing the Library of Birmingham as one of the city’s most iconic modern buildings.
