I recently visited Birmingham – the UK’s second city – on a quest to photograph some of its buildings.
And there’s a rich and varied seam of architecture to be found there. CONTINUE READING BELOW
Tap/click first image for gallery view
The vibrant city centre of Birmingham is a mix of building styles, from concrete leftovers of the 1960s and 70s to innovative recent additions including the Library of Birmingham.
Encased in an elegant gilded cage, this building was my first port of call and was truly impressive. Head upstairs to enjoy an elevated view over Birmingham city centre.
Another innovative must-see is the outlandishly tactile Selfridges building with its many voluptuous curves, while the silver-topped Grand Central complex also grabs the attention.
I took a bus ride to the University of Birmingham campus at Edgbaston, where I studied for a time.
Memories came cascading back, while the library I once inhabited has since been demolished and replaced with a sleek new gold-framed building.
Birmingham may have struggled with its reputation down the years, but my architectural tour showed there is a lot to see. Even if you’re not looking up at buildings like I did, it’s a city that has a lot to offer.
The Selfridges building inspires with its curves and textures
I actually don’t like Birmingham very much, some of the buildings are rather ugly. But I still live here haha.
That’s true, some of the buildings are definitely an acquired taste. I thought some of the newer ones are belters :)
So glad you enjoyed a visit to my home town. Great photos.
Thank you! The wealth of architecture made it a very worthwhile weekend away :)
I haven’t been to Birmingham in over 10 years. All the places you go make me realise that I’d either love to re-visit or visit for the first time. If only I had time to do it all in one go 😀
I’m glad to wield some influence 🤣 Imagine how the city seemed to me after last being there in… 1993 😮
I am always inspired when I see cities in which I spent so much of my formative years, Manchester (as a child), and now Birmingham (as a tedious trainee and then ‘grown up’ accountant), through your lens.
That’s lovely to hear, Andy. It’s the same for me with Birmingham as I was there as a callow student in the 1990s (but didn’t last the course). It really has altered!
I’ve not been back to Birmingham in the last 20 + years, other than changing trains there earlier this year, and that was certainly a very different experience…
Yes New Street is a changed place now and some might say it’s confusing as hell!
Yes, when someone has to ask you how to get to the trains when they are stood on the main concourse it shows there is an obvious problem!
Indeed! I’ve heard a fair few complaints.