Demolition starts green heart beating

August 10, 2017

Demolition starts green heart beating

Three years ago I wrote about the University of Birmingham's ambitions for a new green heart at the centre of its Edgbaston campus.

With the new library project, Library central to campus, completed in September 2016 work on the new green heart began in January 2017 and has now moved onto the demolition of the former Main Library.

From May 2016 the university undertook extensive consultations on it's plans and these resulted in ideas that have shaped the development.

A range of wild flowers and native plants, 160 new trees, water features and nesting sites

Space for markets, performances and events, including a grass auditorium and outdoor cinema

A new café and bar

Energy saving technologies, zoned lighting and energy generating paving

Improved signage and access to information

Dedicated areas for art, sculptures and the University’s collections

Reproduced from: https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/estates/green-heart/index.aspx

A video of what the new Green Heart will look like is below, reproduced from:

If you've got a VR headset you can explore some of the new green heart on the Green Heart webpage, http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/university/building/green-heart/green-heart-360.aspx

In July 2017 the University received a Green Flag Award for its green spaces, One of the UK’s best green spaces. The new green heart will add another 12 acres to the green flag campus.

The demolition of the former library is due to be completed before Welcome Week in September with part of University Square adjacent to the Arts Building and former library cordoned off until November 2017. There are routes around the site and temporary ramps and new pathways to ensure everyone can navigate around easily and safely. The picture below shows the first phase of University Square being cordoned off, reproduced from: Are you ready for landscaping?