{"product_id":"birmingham-central-library-miniature-concrete-model","title":"Birmingham Central Library, Birmingham","description":"\u003ch2 data-end=\"280\" data-start=\"173\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"230\" data-start=\"173\"\u003eBirmingham Central Library, Birmingham - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"230\" data-start=\"173\"\u003eMiniature Concrete Model 003\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"230\" data-start=\"173\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"280\" data-start=\"233\"\u003eHand-cast in fine concrete. Shaped by memory.\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"682\" data-start=\"282\"\u003eSome buildings define a city—and a generation’s sense of place.\u003cbr data-end=\"351\" data-start=\"348\"\u003eBirmingham Central Library did exactly that. Opened in 1974, it stood at the heart of the city for decades, a massive inverted ziggurat of concrete that sparked fierce debate and deep affection in equal measure. Designed by John Madin, it became a touchstone for Brutalist architecture in Britain—loved, loathed, and never ignored.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1002\" data-start=\"684\"\u003eI knew I had to make this model while there was still time.\u003cbr data-end=\"746\" data-start=\"743\"\u003eBefore demolition began, I visited, photographed, and measured everything I could. Getting the weight and tiered form right in miniature meant working through layer after layer of prototypes. It deserved that care. It deserved to last, even in a small way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1116\" data-start=\"1004\"\u003eThis is what remains—concrete cast from memory, carrying a piece of Birmingham’s lost Brutalism and icon architecture into the present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1098\" data-end=\"1292\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1098\" data-end=\"1110\"\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1110\" data-end=\"1113\"\u003e• Solid cast concrete, individually hand-poured\u003cbr\u003e• 3.5cm high, 8.5 cm wide, 5cm deep (approx)\u003cbr data-start=\"1164\" data-end=\"1167\"\u003e• Laser-etched cork base with building name\u003cbr data-start=\"1210\" data-end=\"1213\"\u003e• Comes gift-boxed\u003cspan\u003e for the perfect concrete gift\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e• Designed, modelled, and finished in the UK\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1649\" data-start=\"1336\"\u003eMade for anyone who remembers standing beneath its overhangs, climbing its steps, or defending its right to exist.\u003cbr data-end=\"1453\" data-start=\"1450\"\u003eThis model keeps the Birmingham Central Library’s story alive on a shelf or desk—a small reminder that architecture can shape identity and that even demolished buildings deserve to be held onto in some form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"1491\" data-end=\"1534\"\u003e15% off when you order two or more models\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\n\u003cem data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1620\"\u003eEU customers: please order via my \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Etsy Miniature Model of Birmingham Central Library\" href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/uk\/listing\/718396577\/birmingham-central-library-miniature?ls=s\u0026amp;ga_order=most_relevant\u0026amp;ga_search_type=all\u0026amp;ga_view_type=gallery\u0026amp;ga_search_query=birmingham+central+library\u0026amp;ref=sr_gallery-1-1\u0026amp;sr_prefetch=1\u0026amp;frs=1\u0026amp;etp=1\u0026amp;local_signal_search=1\u0026amp;content_source=32222951bbcd2179743e52b2424758a3b468a376%253A718396577\u0026amp;organic_search_click=1\u0026amp;logging_key=32222951bbcd2179743e52b2424758a3b468a376%3A718396577\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eEtsy shop\u003c\/a\u003e due to customs regulations\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1620\"\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1627\" data-end=\"1651\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1800\" data-start=\"1776\"\u003eBuilding Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2345\" data-start=\"1811\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1824\" data-start=\"1811\"\u003eLocation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Birmingham, UK\u003cbr data-end=\"1842\" data-start=\"1839\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1856\" data-start=\"1842\"\u003eArchitect:\u003c\/strong\u003e John Madin\u003cbr data-end=\"1870\" data-start=\"1867\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1884\" data-start=\"1870\"\u003eCompleted:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1974\u003cbr data-end=\"1892\" data-start=\"1889\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1903\" data-start=\"1892\"\u003eStatus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Demolished 2016\u003cbr data-end=\"1922\" data-start=\"1919\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1941\" data-start=\"1922\"\u003eBrief Overview:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1944\" data-start=\"1941\"\u003eBirmingham Central Library was once the largest municipal library in Europe and an icon of British Brutalism. Designed as an inverted ziggurat, its bold form and concrete massing became a symbol of post-war modernity in Birmingham. Despite strong campaigns to preserve it, the library was demolished in 2016—its legacy lives on through memories, photographs, and small concrete tributes like this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eALL EU ORDERS \u003c\/strong\u003eprocessed through our Etsy Store\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Etsy Miniature Concrete Model of Birmingham Central Library\" href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/uk\/listing\/718396577\/birmingham-central-library-miniature?ls=s\u0026amp;ga_order=most_relevant\u0026amp;ga_search_type=all\u0026amp;ga_view_type=gallery\u0026amp;ga_search_query=birmingham+central+library\u0026amp;ref=sr_gallery-1-1\u0026amp;sr_prefetch=1\u0026amp;frs=1\u0026amp;etp=1\u0026amp;local_signal_search=1\u0026amp;content_source=32222951bbcd2179743e52b2424758a3b468a376%253A718396577\u0026amp;organic_search_click=1\u0026amp;logging_key=32222951bbcd2179743e52b2424758a3b468a376%3A718396577\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHERE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy concrete sculptures are individually hand cast in solid concrete. This means that each piece will have distinctive markings and minor blemishes due to air bubbles in the concrete. This is a natural part of the material and will mean that no two pieces are ever exactly the same.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI aim to make and ship your artwork within 30 days.  If you require your order by a specific date before this please let me know. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#000000\"\u003e\u003cspan face=\"Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif\"\u003e\u003cspan size=\"3\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpress shipping options at checkout for additional costs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spaceplay","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29407241961581,"sku":"MINI_003","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0248\/2867\/4157\/files\/Birmingham-centrallibrary-brutalist-architectural-model.webp?v=1781218901","url":"https:\/\/space-play.co.uk\/products\/birmingham-central-library-miniature-concrete-model","provider":"Spaceplay","version":"1.0","type":"link"}