A design team led by Associated Architects has been appointed to conduct a feasibility study for the modernisation of Birmingham’s historic Council House complex and redevelopment of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
Birmingham City Council has asked city practice Associated Architects to work with contractor Bouygues and conservation architects Rodney Melville & Partners and Hoare Lea M & E Engineers – to carry out the study looking at how the works should be carried out, with a final report due in June 2018.
Bouygues (formerly Thomas Vale Construction) were selected via the Constructing West Midlands framework and Associated Architects were appointed following a tender process to select a practice with a strong track record in dealing with cultural sector heritage projects.
The Grade II* listed complex – comprising the Council House, which was built in 1879, and the Council House Extension, built in 1911 – requires major improvements, in particular the upgrade of its electrical and mechanical installations.
Alongside the council’s functions, the historic buildings also house the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, which has one of the three great regional museum collections in the UK and is visited by more than 750,000 people a year.
The need to renew the complex’s infrastructure presents a unique opportunity to create a new museum for the city fit for the 21st century – including a new children’s museum, community gallery and larger learning suite. Birmingham Museums Trust will work with community groups and experts to rethink the city’s collection and showcase it in new, exciting ways to attract young, multicultural audiences and international visitors to the city.
The works will allow Birmingham Museums Trust, on behalf of Birmingham City Council, to progress with plans to submit a major Stage 1 bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund in late 2018 for support of the redevelopment project, followed by a Stage 2 bid in 2019.
Ellen McAdam, Director of Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “This appointment is an important step towards creating a new Museum for Birmingham. We look forward to working with Birmingham City Council to deliver the project. We can now begin fundraising in earnest.
“The Birmingham Museums’ team will be working hard to take the project to the next stage. We will continue to engage with local communities to showcase the city’s world-class collection. We aim to reimagine this great historic collection for the young, diverse Birmingham of the 21st century.”
