Architectural integrity
Alan Clawley explores the ins and outs of modern architecture.
Let there be light
Alan Clawley has been watching the redevelopment of Birmingham’s New Street Station and takes issue with the motives behind it.
Closed for good – The last chapter of the Birmingham Library story
Alan Clawley on the impending closure of Birmingham Central Library in June – but ideas are still being proposed for its future
Birmingham – Then and Now
Alan Clawley has published a book in a popular series.
No work for the panel
Alan Clawley writes about the re-constituted Conservation and Heritage Panel
Why conservation makes sense
Alan Clawley explains the case for retention, not destruction.
State-sponsored culture
Alan Clawley finds similarities between Birmingham’s ‘modern’ developments and some of those post-war architectural monuments in Europe
Déjà Vu
The Birmingham Press has been granted rights to use some pictures of historic interest showing how Birmingham has changed. As Alan Clawley explains, history has a habit of repeating itself.
Central Library not bursting at the seams
Loads of space in the new library of Birmingham, but what’s it for? wonders Alan Clawley.
The art of the underpass
Alan Clawley shares some views of Birmingham’s semi-subterranean pedestrian history.
Budget cuts
Alan Clawley wades through the gloom and doom of budget cuts and asks why Sir Albert Bore is predicting the end of local government as we know it.
Birmingham Central Library: The latest ‘last ditch’ attempt to save it
Alan Clawley claims that reports of the imminent destruction of John Madin’s library are way off the mark and that the campaign to save it goes on.
The new city park
Alan Clawley scans a Birmingham landscape with a highly critical eye.
Sir Albert’s Christmas card and coping with loss
Alan Clawley spots a confusing, yet festive, dichotomy.
Passionate about conservation
Alan Clawley believes history shows that the Council just can’t cope with anyone who displays too much passion for the past.
The economics of regeneration
Alan Clawley writes: “We are not alone in being sceptical about the ability of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the RZ to rescue developments like Paradise Circus.”
Planning objections lodged over Paradise Circus
Birmingham’s Friends of the Central Library has submitted a formal objection to the Argent planning application for Paradise Circus.
There are historic cities and then there’s ‘Birmingham, its people, its history’
Alan Clawley believes Birmingham doesn’t capitalise on its historic assets and suggests a better way to make more of them.
Other views of Paradise
Digital images are annoying Alan Clawley as they are being used to manipulate the future architecture of Birmingham.
Last chance to see…
Alan Clawley believes that if buildings have lives they can also have obituaries written about them when they die.
Birmingham Library: Built in obsolescence
Alan Clawley takes issue with Birmingham City Council’s inability to find the wherewithal to carry out repairs in Birmingham’s Central Library.
Still Birmingham’s biggest roundabout
Alan Clawley takes issue with the plans for the redevelopment of Paradise Circus.
Death of Louis Carus
Alan Clawley laments the passing Louis Carus and wonders what will replace the Conservatoire’s Adrian Boult Hall.
Architect of the Year 2012
The shortlists of architects in the running for the title of Architect of the Year 2012 has been published by Building Design magazine.
More Birmingham Library memoirs: The economic case
Alan Clawley with a history lesson on Birmingham town planning and John Madin’s ’70s Birmingham Library
More than skin deep
Alan Clawley fears that John Madin’s legacy is being obliterated from Birmingham’s architectural heritage
Trees, buses and vistas – Welcome to Paradise
Alan Clawley has spotted that plans for the redevelopment of Birmingham’s Paradise Circus seem to be lacking something.
Bauhaus at the Barbican
Alan Clawley sees similarities in the celebrated Barbican in London and the seemingly doomed Central Library in Birmingham.
New U: How good old buildings survive
“Given an owner who is minded to do so, any sound building can be adapted to a new use”, writes Alan Clawley. Here are some examples.
New use for Birmingham’s Central Library
Alan Clawley with the background story of Birmingham’s Central Library building, proposals for its retention and details of a new petition to save it.