Barber
Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, UK
Architect
Robert Atkinson
Date Built
1935 - 1939
Location
Edgbaston
Description
The University of Birmingham's
website describes the Barber Institute of Fine
Arts building as, "... one of
Birmingham’s finest Art Deco buildings,
purpose built and opened by Queen Mary in
1939."
The Barber was listed in 1981 and at that time
it was described as being sophisticated in
design, "... marrying elements of
traditional institutional classicism with
Dudok inspired stone dressed brick modern. A
2 storey compact block with shallow full
height portal wing to right hand of front.
Ashlar faced ground floor and blind lst
floor of brick with flat coped roofline."
In 1946 the building was awarded a bronze
medal by the Royal Institute of British
Architects
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The University points out that inside the
building is, "... laid out around
the central music auditorium"
On the ground floor, "...
are offices and lecture halls for the
Departments of Music and History of Art,
as well as a dedicated Art History
library. .....
The Art Gallery occupies,
"... the same space on the first
floor, approached by a magnificent
travertine staircase directly opposite
the entrance."
