University News Last updated 15 January 2009
Two experts in architecture from Birmingham City University have been chosen as part of a judging panel to pick a design company to win the contract for a new £1.5 million project in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.
Ruth Reed, Course Director of Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Practice at Birmingham City University, and President Elect of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is the panel chairman of The Golden Square project. The other panellist from the University is Professor Kathryn Moore, Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture, and former President of the Landscape Institute.
Entrants for the international design competition are hoping to become the winning designer for The Golden Square, a new public space to be situated in Birmingham's world-renowned Jewellery Quarter. The Square will be a focal point of the Quarter and is part of Birmingham City Council's Big City Plan. It will contribute to the Jewellery Quarter's bid for World Heritage status.
Ruth Reed, Course Director of Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Practice at Birmingham City University said: "I feel very honoured to be involved in this project which will result in a prestigious piece of public work for Birmingham, the West Midlands and beyond."
Kathryn Moore, Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture at Birmingham City University added: "I am incredibly proud to be on a panel with others who feel as passionately as I do about such a significant project for the city. Hopefully, the winning piece will help to put Birmingham on the map with an inventive, unique and creative piece of work."
As well as global architectural practices, proposals have come from national, regional and local firms. All have submitted initial bids to design the Square, from which the expert panel will shortlist six bidders. The shortlisted companies will be asked to develop a detailed proposal, a concept design and attend interviews, before a winner is chosen and a final design is agreed later this year.
The proposed square is a component of the city's development and is part of The Big City Plan, which is currently out for public consultation and input. The Big City Plan is the UK's largest ever master planning exercise. It will shape the development of all aspects of life within Birmingham city centre over the next 25 years.