Peter Cripps Photography

“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.”

John Milton – Paradise Lost

Which could well apply to what some people think of the old Birmingham Central Library and surrounding Paradise Circus area which will soon be no more as demolition work is about to begin on the 40 year old Brutalist masterpiece designed by the architect John Madin. I took a walk around the area on a chilly, wet January day to take a last look before it disappears forever and is replaced by the shiny new £500m development to be called simply ‘Paradise‘.

The plaque on the side of the building is a quote from William Hutton, a poet and historian of Birmingham. It says:

“Descending a hill of eminence, I had a full view, under a bright sun, of Cader Idris. If I was asked what length would be a line drawn from the eye to the summit? I should answer, ‘to the best of my judgement one mile.’ I believe the space is more than five; so fallacious is vision when it takes in only one object, and that elevated.”

If I’m around in 10 years time when we see Paradise Regained (sic) I’ll create a post to celebrate that as well.