Bright Space awarded 'Ingenious' grant for Library of Birmingham and Birmingham Repertory Theatre building project

Inspired by the ambitious development of the new £193 million Library of Birmingham, the project will bring together four Birmingham secondary schools. They will work collaboratively with engineers, architects, teachers, library and theatre professionals, to consider the role that engineering can play in the design and construction of buildings of the future.

Deborah Kermode, Bright Space Director said: ‘We are delighted to receive this generous award. We plan to create meaningful exchanges between teams of people, including pupils and professionals, all sharing dynamic ideas about what makes a 21^st century library or theatre. The project aims to enable young people to get a greater understanding of the significant role that engineering and construction can play in the regeneration of their city.’

Pupils involved with the project will have the opportunity to visit other European cities to see how best practice in engineering and architecture effects the aspirations of different communities.

Professor Christopher Bishop FREng, Chair of the Ingenious funding panel and Chief Research Scientist at Microsoft Research in Cambridge said: ‘Ingenious is all about creative partnerships, and this year we have a wealth of inspiring activities that will bring together communication and engineering expertise to deliver an enriching experience for a wide variety of public audiences.

Engineers will be encouraged to leave their comfort zone and learn about public engagement on the job, whether it’s on a science festival stage, in front of a camera or working in a newspaper office, they will experience a completely new way of sharing their knowledge. The skills and the confidence they gain will be invaluable to their future careers.’

Other successful applicants include the Science Museum, Cheltenham Science Festival, and the Universities of Bradford, Oxford, Edinburgh and Cambridge.