Birmingham Central Library

Birmingham Central Library is a library building in Chamberlain Square with an inverted ziggurat form spanning eight floors, built primarily from concrete with geometric shapes and angular structures. The building contained reading areas spread across multiple levels and study spaces that served different groups of visitors.

The building was designed by architect John Madin and opened in 1974 as the city's main library. It served this function for nearly four decades before closing in 2013.

The name reflects its central role as a public gathering place in Birmingham's civic life. People from across the city visited to read, study, and spend time in shared spaces designed for the whole community.

The building sits at a well-connected transport location with several entry points for visitor access. The interior is structured with clear pathways, though the modern design may feel unusual to some visitors at first.

The building was part of an ambitious but unfinished plan for a series of civic structures to be linked by elevated walkways over the Inner Ring Road. Only this one was built, making it stand alone in the urban landscape.

Location: Birmingham

Inception: December 1973

Architects: John Madin

Official opening: January 12, 1974

Architectural style: brutalist architecture

Floors above the ground: 8

Address: Chamberlain Square

GPS coordinates: 52.48030,-1.90477

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:06