Library of Birmingham

Location: 
Birmingham
Description: 
Construction of the new Library of Birmingham.
Project Innovation: 
The project aims to ensure a co-ordinated approach to employment, training and up skilling of the construction industry to the benefit of the residents of Birmingham
Current Status: 
At the last inspection on 19 April 2011 construction was underway on the fourth floor,the atrium was also starting to take shape and ceilings were being erected to the basement ampitheatre. With regard to The REP most of the demolition works had been completed and the piling for the extension was also nearing completion.
Theme: 
Sustainability
Theme: 
Training
Theme: 
Regeneration
Status: 
Started
Start Date: 
Nov 2009
End Date: 
Mar 2013
Case Study: 
Available

The Site is located between Baskerville House and the REP in Centenary Square.
Library of Birmingham is the flagship of the Birmingham Big City Plan. The project is aimed at creating the cultural and learning hub for Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Client: Birmingham City Council.
Main Contractor: Carillion.
Client Project Manager: Capita Symonds.

Key Performance Indicators

KPIs for this Project are as follows; 

  1. Getting into Construction – Encouraging people in Birmingham to consider Construction as a potential career option through school engagement and Apprenticeship opportunities. 
  2. Supporting people into Construction – Providing pre-employment support for individuals with an aspiration to work in the Construction Industry through tailored 1-2 week courses. 
  3. Assessing Individuals Needs – Assess the training and skills of people on the project through the induction process in order to identify the support the project can provide them in their career. 
  4. Training and Upskilling of the Workforce – Through supply chain collaboration and skills development provide training in core and specific skills to meet the needs of the individuals and construction industry in the West Midlands 
  5. Develop an infrastructure of support and leaving a Legacy for Birmingham – Develop an Infrastructure of support and management of the construction workforce in Birmingham through an employment database, a job sustainability focus and linkages to other projects including the current Balfour Beatty Birmingham Hospital and the upcoming New Street Station Development.

The Project Team celebrated the 100th person into employment at the site on 28th July 2011, together with six new apprentices employed by EMCOR, in keeping with the "Supporting People into Construction" KPI (see above).

A video of the event can be found on the Talking DEMONSTRATION page.

Case Studies

Technical Case Studies

Additional information is available on Birmingham City Council's website

Previous position

In January 2011 work had commenced on the construction of the second floor.  Occupation of the REP was being taken over.  The project was on target a week ahead of programme.

See recent construction images from this site here