1966
Plans began to be drawn for the Central Library in Madin's office. The team compromised of four architects and an artist designer, with Madin working as its leader and job architect (Clawley, 2015, p14).
1974
The new library was officially opened by Harold Wilson (Clawley, 2015, p14)
BUILDING TIMELINE:
BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL LIBRAY
Video 6
In order to make way for the new library, the existing Victorian library has to be demolished.
1971
Construction of the building began and was completed in 1974 (Birminghamcentral.blogspot.co.uk, 2016)
1989
2013
Birmingham City Councils Planning Committee pass major plans for a redevelopment scheme that included the demolition of the Library (C20society.org.uk, 2015).
The library closed its doors on the 29 June 2013.
2008
Failed statutory listing attempt under the National Heritage Act (Clawley, 2015, p22)
2003
Failed statutory listing attempt under the National Heritage Act (Clawley, 2015, p22)
2016
On the 10th of January 2016 the Library's certificate of immunity from listing expires and a new appilication will be submitted.
The atrium was closed with the building off a glass roof as the space underneath the library was frequently a wind tunnel. This created the area known as Paradise Forum (Theironroom.wordpress.com, 2016).
During the 1980's the footbridge that connected the library to centenery square was constructed (Theironroom.wordpress.com, 2016).
2011
The World Monuments Fund put the library onto its list of endangered cultural monuments.
G Penn, 2016
By January 2016 the demolition of John Madin's library was underway.
The finished library:
1999
In this year the first piece of concrete fell off a panel, narrowly avoiding a member of the public.