The £189m iconic Library of Birmingham has been hailed as a fusion of the digital and traditional. Creating flexible internal space that is easily adapted to meet a wide range of demands, partitioning-experts Style was contracted to install a complex combination of fourteen moveable folding and sliding walls systems.
Winner of the Construction News ‘Project of the Year’ (over £50m) Award, the new landmark Library of Birmingham building houses a collection of one million books, and has more than 200 public-access computers, theatres, an exhibition gallery as well as music rooms.
In many public buildings, maximising the use of space is of paramount importance and working with architect, Mecanoo Architecten, and main contractor, Carillion, Style was specified to create flexible room arrangements in a variety of areas including contemplation rooms, studio theatres, a lobby and gallery.
Providing the Library with a perfect combination of practicality and panache DORMA Moveo glass partitions create room separation whilst retaining natural light and visibility. Elsewhere American oak or walnut veneer finished moveable walls offer a seamless blend with the library’s overall interior design. For a more functional element, Style also installed clean, white operable walls.
Where privacy between divided areas is critical, acoustic ratings were between 50dB and 55dB and all walls are designed to be effortless to manoeuvre.
“Moveable partitioning walls are a must for busy buildings such the Library of Birmingham where a variety of activities are taking place every day,” said Mike Fine, Style’s director for the Midlands. "It means rooms can be reconfigured very quickly to accommodate different activities and gatherings, enabling the library to offer a far greater range of public services than ever before.”
