b'The Library of BirminghamThe location and function / Birmingham City Councilsof the building provide an mission is to deliver the bestideal opportunity to merge an public library in the world. outdoor public space with the building, creating a fundamental The new library will be the socialdialogue and connection heart of the city, connectingbetween city and the building people of all ages, cultures andin both the physical and the backgroundsThe buildingmetaphorical sense. will function as a core of information, recreation andThe square should be part of culture centred on peoplethe building. It should beckon and community life. It will bepeople to read a book in the a supermarket of knowledge.sun. The square should have The library will be a microcosmlots of greenery, something of Birmingham itself, reflectingthat the city centre, with its its economic strength and thepreponderance of brick and multiple cultures of its citizens. concrete buildings, is sorely in need of. Any softeningeven of The new library should seducethe acoustics in the cityseems every citizen of Birminghamto be welcome in this part of the to visit the library and thecity, in materialization as well as REP [Birmingham Repertoryin scale.Theatre]. It will be a place to meet. The entrance area should be able to accommodate an agreed The design of the buildingpeak or range of visitor capacity envelope should reflect notbased on 24/7/365 facilities only aesthetic considerationsaccess and a predicted daily but also optimization of thefootfall of 10,000. indoor climate and energy consumption. For example,The entrance doors should glazed elements in facadesbe smart and part of the BMS should be designed to optimize(building management system) the ingress of daylight andand capable of resisting protection from solar heat. significant attempts at intrusion.Selection of requirements.Source: Mecanoo and LoB Design Team (2008), Library of 2 Birmingham design brief. Final.63Photo: Christian Richters, courtesy Mecanoo'