Sara Beardsley | Senior Architect, Adrian Smith & Gordon Gill Architecture

Some wise words from a sustainable POV

Birmingham Bullring Opening 2003

As per my earlier posting about the Bullring's flagship Selfridges department store, here is a video capturing the moment when the Shopping Mall opening in 2003!

Bullring Selfridges - Style Icon with a love-hate relationship!

I have been an avid believer that good architecture can make or break a city. Being a born and bred Brummie, but also an architect in the making my view keeps tossing and turning between loving the Selfridges 'Blobitecture' and hating it...I love the fact that despite many people hating it at first; they now come to the realisation that it is a great but somewhat unusual addition to the once drab Birmingham skyline. One of the flagship stores for the Selfridges brand and a flagship building for Birmingham, recognisable all over the world.

The form of the building is instantly recognisable. In an architectural movement most well known as 'Blobitecture' the strong curves and organically bulging form for it's massing was designed by Future Systems to imitate the female silhouette, coupled with the chainmail dress designed by Paco Rabanne back in the 1960s. Aluminium discs on the facade replicate that Chanmail dress on the outside. Internally the architecture is open and exposed and although I do like the form of the building, I must admit I do not like the internal use of circulation and retail space. Exposed building services and an open plan environment is all good and well for a department store, but the density and confinement of the open plan spacing has severely restricted the intention of creating a welcoming and airy space to shop and of course work. I think maybe the Selridges big wigs had something to do with trying to maximise on using every square inch of space!

The centrally located criss-cross of escalators coincide with the visual styling on this 'wing' of the Bullring Shopping Mall taking their cue from the round curves of the Future Systems building. The underside of the escalators is rounded compared to the right angles and sharp corners of the opposite 'wing' on the Debenhams side of the Bullring Shopping Mall. Next time you visit be sure to notice the changes as you walk along the lower level of the Mall (Rounded Escalators).

This 'global' department store is the only piece of ultra modern architecture holding it's own on the grand stage of the world of architecture. Based in Britain's second city it has now sparked a renewal in a building boom for modernisation of the cityscape and in the grand scheme of things it will be remembered for being the building that changed a city!

I don't think there is enough space to capture the unique viewing angles and features for this building so here is a link for all your viewing glory...Flickr Selfridges Bullring!



Selfridges Birmingham - by Future Systems (2003) [RIP Jan Kaplicky]

Twentieth Century Architects: John Madin [BOOK]

Twentieth Century Architects: John Madin

Following one of my tweets a few days ago, this new book about the works of Madin is a must have for anyone interested in the architecture of Birmingham. He dominated the architectural scene in the city for several years during the hey-day of the 'concrete-jungle' redevelopment of the city throughout the 60's and 70's. Few Birmingham practices have been able to match his architectural success in the city and of course on the worldwide stage.
To me I'm going to be honest and say that I did not know the influence and commercial success of this architect until I knew of the proposal for the new Birmingham Central Library currently under construction a mere 200m away from the old one that Madin designed and I grew accustomed to! In fact Madin's original plans for the soon to be demolished 'concretecture' original library were for the building to be clad in marble, with the City unwilling to pay such a high price. Concrete and marble simply do not compare aesthetically...

Chicago Spire - The Skyscraper renewal in Chicago!

This is my first video posting to my new blog...

I think watching videos like this further renews my love for the building type which turned me towards striving to be an architect! The Skyscraper!

At Architecture School I only wish I could design such buildings as successfully as the top 'starchitects' do so well...Adrian Smith...here I come!

Portfolio Sample 2011

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