The Forum, Norwich

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The Forum
The Forum Norwich 2015.JPG
The Forum, Norwich
General information
Town or city Norwich
CountryEngland
Coordinates 52°37′39″N1°17′26″E / 52.62750°N 1.29056°E / 52.62750; 1.29056
Year(s) built1999–2001
Opened1 November 2001
Cost£66 million (equivalent to £116 million in 2021)
Technical details
MaterialGlass and brick (exterior), steel (frame)
Floor count3
Design and construction
Architecture firm Sir Michael Hopkins and Partners
Other information
Parking Underground parking
Website
theforumnorwich.co.uk

The Forum is a public building in Norwich, Norfolk, England. The building opened in 2001 and was designed by the British architectural firm Sir Michael Hopkins and Partners. It was built to serve as a replacement to the Norwich Central Library, which burnt down on the site in 1994. After a proposal for a site named Technopolis was rejected, a second version, which was named New Technopolis before changing to the Forum, was constructed. The Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library sits to the west end of the building, with office and commercial spaces and studios for the BBC around a main atrium. The building is fronted by a glass façade with a surrounding brick wall and inner steel frame supporting a glass and zinc panel roof. The project cost £66 million (equivalent to £116 million in 2021), of which £31 million (equivalent to £55 million in 2021) was from the Millennium Commission. The library has been named one of the most popular in the country, while The Forum is a venue for public events and festivals and the outside plain hosts live performances. Despite winning several awards, the building has been criticised for its use of materials and has been likened to a shopping mall and airport terminal.

Contents

Background

Prior to The Forum, the Norwich Central Library sat on the same site from January 1963 until its destruction by fire in August 1994. Built in the Brutalist style, the library was the first major central library to open in the country after World War II, and was opened by the Queen Mother. It cost £350,000 (equivalent to £7,800,000 in 2021), with £30,000 donated by the United States Air Force 2nd Air Division going towards a room for an American library and to act as a memorial for the lives lost during World War II. Norwich had been the first city to adopt the Public Libraries Act 1850, establishing a free public library in 1857. [1] [2] In 1937, it was suggested that "more suitable accommodation" was required to meet "immediate requirements" and so the central library was built. [1]

Fire at Norwich Central Library, 1994 Norwich Central Library Fire.jpg
Fire at Norwich Central Library, 1994

On 1 August 1994, at 7:20 a.m., an electrical fault in the American library set fire to a bookshelf. The fire quickly spread; within two minutes, flames were already escaping through the roof and about ten minutes later, the fire had "swept through the first floor". The first fire crews arrived at 7:33 a.m. and 150 firefighters tackled the blaze with Anglian Water increasing the water pressure to assist the firefighters. [3] Jean Kennedy, who had been the City and County Archivist since 1963 and headed the Norfolk Record Office which was based in the basement of the library, [4] reported that firefighters entered the building shortly after 11:30 a.m. with other staff entering later to begin removing surviving records. The record office, which contained between two and three million documents, [3] had withstood the fire, exceeding its expected two hours of fire resistance. [5] Firefighters fought the fire for three days. [6] An initial report claimed that the fire had been caused by a gas explosion and that more than 350,000 books had been lost, [7] but the figure was later reported to be up to 155,000, with 125,000 books lost from the lending and reference department. [8] [6] A figure from the BBC years later put the loss at 170,000 books. [9] Also lost were the American library and its 3,500 books, two-thirds of the Colman collection, which contained 10,000 documents, letters and pamphlets on Norfolk, the 18th-century Rye collection, original collections of cartes de visite, a bank of 35mm negative film, a large part of the local studies photographic archive, early newspapers, orchestral scores and documents relating to Norwich School. [3] [10] About 15,000 Norwich prints were lost in total. [10] The library had to be subsequently demolished due to the damage. [11]

Planning and construction

Following the demolition, research was conducted into the potential location and role of a new library. Several factors were identified, such as a forecasted rise in the number of pensioners, a rise in the number of people entering further and higher education, population growth in the area, and a forecasted rise of 30% in the number of people going to the library. The central library site was owned by Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council, [12] and the city worked towards putting a bid forward to the Millennium Commission for funding for a project named Technopolis on the site. The project was to cost £79 million (equivalent to £139 million in 2021) and would house the new library, as well as areas of business hire, an entrance and retail area, and a multistorey car park. [13] Paul Finch of Architects' Journal reported that the project "received widespread public opposition - as well as widespread support - and was eventually dropped", however, following a public consultation phase, new plans were put forward for a £66 million project with the building to cost £60 million (equivalent to £106 million in 2021). [14] Named New Technopolis, it would contain, alongside the library, an underground car park, multimedia auditorium, tourist information centre, business and learning centre, ticket shop, catering area, and a public square in front of St Peter Mancroft Church. The project was to be supported by a grant of £31 million from the Millennium Commission and would be undertaken by the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Bid Company Ltd. [12]

British architectural firm Sir Michael Hopkins and Partners, founded by Sir Michael Hopkins, applied for planning permission for the horseshoe-shaped building in 1998, with the plans backed by the Millennium Commission in May of that year. [14] In May 1999, following the granting of planning permission and an archaeological survey, piling and excavation began. The structure consists of a three-storey concrete frame with a surrounding brick wall, with the brickwork made to emulate that of the adjacent City Hall. The zinc panel and glass roof is supported by steel trusses. The eastern end of the building, comprising a 15 m (49 ft)-high glass wall, [15] faces towards Saint Peter Mancroft, while the west, curved end contains the library behind more glass walls. An atrium in the centre is flanked by glazed offices and a Pizza Express restaurant. [16] [17] [18] The construction of the building took more than 1,500 lorry loads of concrete and nearly half a million bricks. [9] $3 million (equivalent to £4 million in 2021) was raised primarily by the Second Air Division Association towards the construction of a new American library, [19] which contained over 4,000 books and 30,000 photographs, letters, memoirs, and other documents following a refurbishment in 2020. [20]

Recent history

Construction was completed in October 2001 and the building was opened on 1 November. Despite the names of Technopolis and New Technopolis being used in the planning phase, the finished building was called The Forum. [21] The American library was dedicated on 6 November and the ceremony, which was attended by 2nd Air Division veterans, included a service from the Bishop of Norwich and a 28-piece orchestra. [19] As part of her tour celebrating her Golden Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II visited Norfolk on 18 July 2002 and officially opened The Forum. [22] In 2003, a number of regional BBC services – Radio Norfolk, Look East , Politics Show , Inside Out , the online news service and Ceefax  –moved to The Forum from their previous locations at Norfolk Tower and St Catherine's Close. Technology for the services was specially commissioned for the studio, which overlooks the central area of the building. [23]

In 2003, The Forum received the Urban Design Reward from the Civic Trust Awards [24] and the RIBA regional award in the east in 2004. [25] A visitor attraction called Origins spanned three floors in the building and allowed visitors to learn about the history of Norfolk and Norwich and contained interactive screens worth £2.5 million, [9] but this was later replaced by a new visitor centre, television studio, and a 100-seat auditorium following financial losses. [26] The Forum was part of the Norwich 12, an initiative by the Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART) to develop 12 landmarks in Norwich into heritage attractions. [27] [28] The Forum has also hosted concerts, events and festivals, [9] such as the city's Dragon Festival; [29] the 2021 Feastival, a produce and food event; [30] and the Norwich Science Festival. [31] The area in front of the building, known as Millennium Plain, is used for public events, performances, live music, festivals and exhibitions. [32]

Reception

Interior of Norwich Millennium Library, 2016 Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library (30705345963).jpg
Interior of Norwich Millennium Library, 2016

In 2013, The Millennium Library was the most popular library in the UK for the seventh year running, receiving 1,273,416 visits. Jennifer Holland, head of Norfolk Libraries, [33] credited the library with having "well-maintained book stocks" and an ability to "stay relevant". [34] Queen Elizabeth II also praised the building during the opening ceremony, while RIBA described it as an "architectural tour de force and major contribution to urban cultural and social life in Norwich." [22] [25] Jonathan Glancey, who visited The Forum four weeks after its opening, described it as a "heroic if ultimately flawed attempt to create a dignified public meeting place to satisfy complex and contradictory needs and desires". [35] He described it as resembling an airport terminal and suggested that the library should be housed separately to the commercial area of the building, pointing out the Pizza Express as an example. He was also confused with the "glass walls and hi-tech trickery" contrast with the "salty red" brick walls which resemble a "modern bullring or an over-restored Roman amphitheatre". [35] Giles Worsley, writing for The Daily Telegraph , said that [18]

[s]ometimes Hopkin's combination of very different materials can lead to unexpected results. The mixture of heavy concrete beams, glass, steel and laminated wood struts in the central hall of Portcullis House... may have driven more purist Modernists into a frenzy of agitation but it is a bold and memorable space in stature with time. By contrast, the Forum is no more than a variant on a shopping mall. Although shopping malls are an increasingly dominant building type, it seems sad that with more than £63 million to play with, an architect of Hopkin's skill could not have come up with something more distinctive. Hopkins seems to have hobbled from the start by that simplistic equation of glass with access.

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References

  1. 1 2 James, Derek. "When the Queen Mother opened a chapter in Norwich history". Eastern Daily Press . Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  2. ↑ Stephen, George Arthur. Three centuries of a city library : an historical and descriptive account of the Norwich Public Library established in 1608 and the present public library opened in 1837. p. 63. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Nicholls, Mark. "Photo Gallery: A light 'popped' and soon Norwich's library was an inferno". Eastern Daily Press . Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  4. ↑ "Norfolk Record Office". nrocatalogue.norfolk.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  5. ↑ Kennedy, Jean (1995). "Norfolk Record Office fire:an initial report". Journal of the Society of Archivists. 16 (1). doi:10.1080/00379819509511755 . Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  6. 1 2 McMahon, Rosa (1 August 2014). "20 years ago today - Norwich library was an inferno". Eastern Daily Press . Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  7. ↑ Penman, Danny (1 August 1994). "Priceless papers damaged in library fire". The Independent . Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "Norwich Central Library fire 25 years on". BBC News . 1 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "The Forum, Norwich". bbc.co.uk/norfolk. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  10. 1 2 Everitt, Claire (29 May 2016). "Norfolk through a Lens" (PDF). norfolk.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  11. ↑ "1994: Library fire wipes out historic records". news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  12. 1 2 Hammond, Hilary (1997). "Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library: a project supported by the Millennium Commission". New Library World. 98 (1138). Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  13. ↑ Hammond, Hilary (1996). "Norfolk and Norwich Central Library: the emerging phoenix". New Library World. 97 (1130). Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  14. 1 2 Finch, Paul (3 September 1998). "Hopkins wins public support for revised Norwich design". Architects' Journal . Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  15. ↑ Bishop, Donna-Louise (24 June 2023). "Obituary: Sir Michael Hopkins, 88, Norwich Forum's architect". Eastern Daily Press . Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  16. ↑ "The Forum: Architecture & Construction" (PDF). theforumnorwich.co.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  17. ↑ "The Forum". Hopkins Architects . Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  18. 1 2 Worsley, Giles (19 December 2001). "Seeing through the argument". The Daily Telegraph . p. 19. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  19. 1 2 Hruska, Judy (7 December 2001). "War and Remembrance Reunion trip to England triggers memories for New Wilmington veteran". New Castle News . New Castle, Pennsylvania . Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  20. ↑ "The history of the American Library". americanlibrary.uk. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  21. ↑ "The Forum architects 'amazed' Norwich building not copied". BBC News . 4 November 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  22. 1 2 "Queen 'delighted' to be in Norfolk". bbc.co.uk/norfolk. 18 July 2002. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  23. ↑ "Come in, take a tour of our new home". www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk. 1 July 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  24. ↑ "The Forum - Norwich". Civic Trust Awards . Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  25. 1 2 "Forum wins architectural award". BBC News . 17 June 2004. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  26. ↑ Welch, Jon (12 May 2007). "Origins to evolve into new centre". Eastern Daily Press . Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  27. ↑ "The Forum". Norwich 12 . Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  28. ↑ "About the Norwich 12 project". Norwich 12 . Archived from the original on 5 January 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  29. ↑ Knights, Emma (21 March 2014). "People asked to share their views on this year's Norwich Dragon Festival". Eastern Daily Press . Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  30. ↑ Baldwin, Louisa (19 September 2021). "Norfolk producers join forces at free Feastival in city centre". Eastern Daily Press . Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  31. ↑ Sennitt, Owen (12 February 2023). "Norwich Science Festival 2023 launch sees big turnout". Norwich Evening News . Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  32. ↑ "Webcam: Live views of Millennium Plain, Norwich". bbc.co.uk/local/norfolk. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  33. ↑ Gilbert, Dominic (2 September 2016). "Head of libraries service to retire after 35 years". Eastern Daily Press . Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  34. ↑ Bury, Liz (11 December 2013). "Norfolk & Norwich Millennium tops list of most popular UK libraries". The Guardian . Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  35. 1 2 Glancey, Jonathan (3 December 2001). "Architecture: A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum: Norwich's hi-tech civic centre leaves Jonathan Glancey feeling confused". The Guardian . Retrieved 24 August 2023.
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