Rolling Bridge

I have been thinking about interesting pieces that may add a little extra zest to some of the projects or may provide some inspiration in this final term for how a particular part of your libraries & theatres may look. Inspiration can be found in many places however and whilst some of the buildings that Small Heath have been to see in London and others we are yet to visit there are also many special creations that can be found.



Much more can be found out about this bridge by searching for 'The Rolling Bridge' or looking at the website of the studio that created it here

Small Heath : London Study Trip

The year 7 pupils at Small Heath school visited London as their study trip.

The itinerary provided time to see and discuss the design and engineering of Peckham Library Tate Modern the London Eye the Millennium Bridge and a walk along the Southbank.











Some readers (perhaps not the pupils) may remember the Millennium Bridge after first opening



Reassuringly this is no longer the case!

Harborne Academy - Model Workshop

After the initial sketch designs, the teams took their proposals into the model workshop to experiment with building forms and begin to consider structures



Some familiar themes of geometry appear as well as some more radical shape explorations that would challenge some of our greatest engineers.



With one team eventually finding some structural similarities with some innovative structures of the past

Library of Birmingham Site Visits

Each school is visiting the construction site of the new Library of Birmingham.



Visits have been excellently arranged by Sinead MacKenzie of Carillion with energetic and enthusiastic discussion at the existing Central Library undertaken by Phil Burns







These photos were taken on Small Heath's visit when Sinead provided an engaging explanation of post-tensioned concrete construction. A technique used to accommodate increased floor to floor heights after planning approval without the need to increase building height



We learned amongst other things that it takes the Tower Crane drivers 15 minutes to reach the cabin.

Harborne Academy's first workshop

An architect-led introduction to the project.

We discussed the essence of library buildings and their relevance to society today. Each group considered a site context, possible features of the library/theatre and developed some conceptual sketch ideas.

Brainstorming & Space planning

Each project team in each of the four schools started the project by considering the purpose and contents of a library of the future. The integration or separate development of theatres has been approached differently amongst the groups.

Common themes explored include;

- openness and welcoming appearance
- social facilities
- links to a variety of other public facilities including hospitals, casinos, schools and the International Space Station
- vibrant interiors
- various sections; music usually being more popular than literature
- games and activity sections
- a wide variety of computer/gadget/touchscreen technologies both current and imagined

One of the most intriguing aspects to these sessions has been the discussions concerning where the project will be based. An impressive list is growing including;

Birmingham City Centre
Each of the schools
Liverpool (linked to a childrens' hospital
Los Angeles
Longbridge Rover Site
Ghana
International Space Station (extension)
Inter-continental standardised design
Florida

Introduction

This innovative project will bring together pupils, engineers, architects, library staff, theatre professionals and teachers to consider the role that engineering can play in the design and construction of libraries and theatres of the future. It is inspired by the ambitious development of the Library of Birmingham by the internationally acclaimed Dutch architects Mecanoo Architecten.



The project involves four Birmingham secondary schools. Pupils are collaborating with an engineer and an architect to help them design their libraries and theatres of the future. Pupils are soon ti undertake study trips to London, Manchester, Oslo and Delft to see at first hand evidence of engineering best practice.

The project will culminate in a symposium at Think Tank in July 2011 providing participants the opportunity to share their work and experiences, devised and led by the pupils.

SCHOOLS

• Swanhurst Girls School, Kings Heath
• Small Heath Secondary School
• Harborne Academy
• Turves Green Boys School