Library of Birmingham officially opened by Malala Yousafzai

September 5th, 2013

The new Library of Birmingham by Mecanoo Architects was officially opened on 3 September by the 16 year old Malala Yousafzai, the Afghan activist for children's rights. After being shot by the Taliban, Malala was flown to Birmingham for emergency treatment. She stayed in the city to complete her education. 'Pens and books are the weapons  to beat terrorism' she declared in her opening speech.

The Library of Birmingham is the largest public library of Europe and together with the Repertory Theatre and the Symphony Hall forms the cultural heart of the City. The total building costs were £ 186 million.

Part of the project was the renovation of next door's Repertory Theatre, which has been linked to the library. In the library a new auditorium has been built that can be used both by the library itself and the Birmingham Rep. This auditorium, with 300 seats, can easily be transformed from traditional black box to proscenium, to thrust stage theatre.

A Dutch team. led by Mecanoo Architects, won the international competition for the prestigious new library. Theateradvies was the theatre consultant of this team for theatre planning and logistics. Theateradvies also designed the stage machinery, including a tension grid and some stage elevators.