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It's 21 storeys high and it's made of concrete

By Jon Bounds on May 21, 08 10:22 AM in Film

Kenneth Wolstenholme is best remembered for uttering "they think it's all over", but the line he intended for 1966 immortality was one he'd practised: "it's twelve inches high, it's made of solid gold and it means that England are World Champions". He'd never get away with it now, as a nation our minds are far too dirty, but that's not my point. A year earlier when The Rotunda was completed, that wouldn't really turn out how architect James Roberts intended either, but for Brummies it became something just as iconic.

Yesterday I attended a screening of Nic Gaunt's film 'Rotunda: 21 Stories', a film ostensibly about the building that stands, er, 21 storeys tall at the bottom of New Street. But, while the film radiates from the Rotunda at its central core, it pushes far beyond that to be a film about identity, family, and how the built environment can help shape the way we feel.

Apart from possibly being the cinematic work that contains the word "round" most often, the film takes time to talk about how Birmingham has been shaped by its architecture and by using only the voices of Brummies and those involved in the building means that it's thankfully free of theories, instead focusing on emotion.

The 21 stories range from the base and James Roberts, with tales of how the building grew taller almost on a whim, to the top, restoration, and a young carpenter who's too scared to work alone in the basement. In between are a host of people talking about, confessing almost, their relationship with a huge pile of concrete and glass and by extension their lives.

As a disclaimer I ought to point out that I appeared as story fourteen, as to why you'd have to ask the filmmakers, but don't worry I'm not on for long and if you hang on Malcolm Stent will make you laugh..

To me, apart from learning some interesting facts, the overriding message of the film seemed to be about how buildings are about far more than aesthetics, and how once hated (according to Tom Ross) buildings that become unfashionable can be best preserved. A lesson for those that would seek to destroy the Central Library, I think.

The original plans for the Rotunda included a neon beacon that would have changed colour to reflect the weather, just one (revolving restaurant included) of the plans for the future that didn't quite come off. The redevelopment has been sensitive to those plans (barring the eatery) and it's possible that we could get something similar installed at the top in the near future (how about a emotional beacon?), a candle to light the city's way.

21 Stories is deserving of a wide audience in its film form (there is also a book and a photographic exhibition), almost as much as the Rotunda itself is worthy of the love it now seems to inspire in the city (even if it takes redevelopment for some to see it). It's a fine example of what's so special about Birmingham.

Can you hug a building? I really want to try.

3 Comments

Derek Belm said:

I think the word "iconic" is vastly over-used in this day of ages - as is the word "OMG", although sadly the word "moist" is criminally underused.
However, when it comes to the Rotunda then I believe the word iconic is actually factually warranted - although not OMG or moist, probably.
It genuinely gives me pleasure in a wholesome way whenever I cast my gaze upon it and I look forward to seeing the city skyline complete with the Rotunda whenever I'm allowed to venture into Birmingham.
I'm not prepared to debate the rights or wrongs of converting the Rotunda to flats, but I am happy it has stood the test of time and taste and will be an iconic landmark Birmingham can enjoy for a long time to come.
I wonder if the same will be true in 20 years of the Selfishness building in the Bull Ring (or is it pronounced Shelfishes?).
The Rotunda deservedly stands prouder than a peacock on Birmingham's skyline.


It is fitting, I think, that on the day this filmage was released another true iconic building in the Midlands won an international award.
The Best Little Warehouse in Tyseley (Tito Bassoon's model-making suppliers) is known throughout the professional model-making world as a landmark. I made the announcement today elsewhere.
So that's nice then.

Sid Langley said:

Funny you should mention a peacock, Mr B, because I understand there are secret plans to replace the central library with a hologram of a purse of peacocks (I think that's the correct collective noun). I believe they are looking for a local modelmaker to craft tiny iconic peacocks from which the holographic image can be transmitted. I have mentioned your name ...

Derek Belm said:

Sid, Mr,


I don't do birds. That's the domain of Maurice, actually factually the world's ugliest model-maker who just so happens to be in my employ.
So Derek Belm & Sons could still be in the frame for the gig, which is ace.


Derek (Mr) Belm.

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