| Description | Minutes of the University of Birmingham Buildings committee. There is a complete set of minutes for the period from 27 February 1901 to 24 January 1912, together with minutes of the Advisory Board from 13 July 1900 to 5 December 1900. The committee was revived in 1925, and there are minutes of meetings from 3 June 1925 to 12 January 1927. UB/COM/16/3 also contains minutes of the Students Union Buildings committee, later known as the Guild of Undergraduates Buildings committee, from 16 November 1928 to 16 December 1930
All minutes are signed and confirmed. Minutes are arranged in chronological order, with a single numerical minute sequence. A new numbering sequence was started when the committee was revived in 1925.
The first few pages of the first volume of minutes have been used to record minutes of meetings of the Advisory Board, appointed by University Council to deal with the report of the Advisory committee which had been appointed on 31 August 1899. The Advisory Board discussed matters relating to the use of the land donated to the University of Birmingham by Lord Calthorpe at Bournbrook, which had been part of Calthorpe's Edgbaston estate. This Advisory Board consisted of the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Treasurer, the Principal, Vice-Principal, Sir John Holder, Arthur Chamberlain, George Kenrick, Neville Chamberlain from University Council, and Professor Poynting and Professor Burstall from the academic staff. Minutes of the Advisory Board record the process by which the University gained authorisation to plant and fence the site and to construct the University road. Reports of the Advisory Board can be found in the minutes of University Council, described at UB/COU/1
Once this business was complete, the Advisory Board was dissolved, and the University Buildings committee was constituted on 6 February 1901. The remainder of the volume records minutes of meetings of this committee. Membership of the Buildings committee was virtually identical to that of the Advisory Board, with the exception of Professor Burstall, who is not initially listed, but was invited to attend meetings from November 1901 onwards. Professor Poynting and Professor Burstall provided advice about 'internal arrangements' for the Engineering department. Professor Redmayne and Professor Turner were invited to attend meetings from June 1903, so that they could advise on the design of the Mining and Metallurgy departments. George Kenrick was elected chairman, and the first meeting was held on 27 February 1901
The Buildings committee was established to consider the Report of the Advisory committee and to deal with matters arising from it. Sir Aston Webb and Edward Ingress Bell, architects of the University buildings at Edgbaston, were invited to the first meeting to present the block plans for the proposed new buildings. Architects also attended some subsequent meetings. After this, meetings held roughly every month. The Surveyor often attended meetings, and minutes were taken by the University Secretary.
Early business of the committee included consideration of tenders received for making the University road and recommendation of the preferred firm. The minutes include the names of firms and information about costs, as well as discussion about fencing the site. There is also discussion about using rooms in the Birmingham and Midland Institute for teaching, and extending accommodation in the existing Mason Science College buildings, while the University was expanding and before the new buildings at Edgbaston could be completed. The minutes include copies of letters from the Calthorpe Estate about the position of new buildings on the site in 1901. Joseph Chamberlain's influence in the architectural composition of the site can be detected in the minutes, and in copies of letters form the architects, Sir Aston Webb and Edward Ingress Bell, explaining their designs and commenting on instructions received. Other topics discussed before building work began on the site included the provision of non-teaching accommodation including cloakrooms, kitchens, lavatories, dining rooms and common rooms, and the provision of electric lighting.
Typed copies of reports of the Buildings committee to Council are included with the minutes from 2 October 1901. The first report contains information about proposals for the construction of the Great Hall, the 'radial blocks', lecture theatres, and departmental museums; the layout of roads and paths; the power station, lodges and enclosures. There are also figures giving the number of men working on the site each month; a regular report on the 'state of the works', the running costs, the type and amount of materials used, information about any delays due to the lack of supply of materials, and lists of equipment supplied to the site. In addition, there are regular reports of surveyors concerning the construction of the University road and the levelling and fencing of the site. Minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 1902 contain a detailed description of this work.
The minutes also include reports of sub-committees appointed to consider specific aspects of the building scheme, such as the construction and requirements for the power station, accommodation required for administrative staff in the new buildings, and rooms needed for social activities, including common rooms and a refectory.
A major concern of the committee in 1902 was the design of the power station, and the minutes contain reports of discussion between Professor Burstall and engineers about the power station's capabilities; equipment needed for the Engineering department; and the purchase of machines and tools. The minutes also discuss the appointment of quantity surveyors to the new buildings and include schedules of prices submitted by building contractors tendering for the construction of the new buildings and power station, as well as information about the decision making process that led to the selection of Thomas Rowbotham, recorded in minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 1902. Minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 1902 include a list of machinery required for the power station and the costs associated with them, and minutes of subsequent meetings contain regular progress reports on the building of the power station. Minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 1902 include a copy of a report by Professor Turner on alterations required for the Metallurgical department, and a list of the estimated costs of this equipment. There is also a copy of a report by Professor Redmayne on the requirements for practical instruction for mining students including the construction of a model coal mine, coal washing plant, models of haulage, lamps, and tools, blasting material, and metal mining laboratories, with estimated costs. There is a further letter from Professor Turner included with minutes of the meting held on 26 February 1903 which concerns plans for the Metallurgical department.
The main topics discussed by the committee in 1903 are the construction work on the power station, the electric wiring of the new buildings, and plans for the Mining and Metallurgy departments. Minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 1903 includes a report on the proposed model coal mine with descriptions of mines constructed elsewhere, and a detailed explanation of plans for the University mine, with costs, together with a report by Professor Turner on a visit to the Technical School Department of University College, Sheffield, to see the Metallurgical department there, and a report by Professor Redmayne on his visit to the Camborne School of Mines. There is also a report by Professor Turner on the cost of equipment for the teaching of practical metallurgy in the new department at Edgbaston. Minutes also contain discussion of plans for the Metallurgical department, information about the preparation of land for the model mine, and record the selection of Thomas Rowbotham for the construction of the superstructure of the new buildings at the meeting held on 17 December 1903, with estimated costs.
Minutes of meetings held in 1904 contain information about the construction of A Block, and progress on the construction of B Block and C Block, together with regular reports on the state of works and details about specifications of the Engineering laboratories, 'hall of machines', drawing office, and smelting furnace. Minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 1904 mention arrangements for the erection of an Observatory on the site, and minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 1904 report the imminent completion of A Block, and plans to complete B Block and C Block by Easter 1905. There is also a report by Professor Turner on the erection of the plant in the smelting section, details of progress on the 'experimental mine', the power station and the smelting laboratory. The report of the Buildings committee to Council on 27 October 1904 state that the final plans of the internal layout of A Bock were not received until September 1904, and minutes of meetings held towards the end of 1904 discuss the installation of electric lighting. A report by Professor Burstall included with minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 1904 mention that the journal 'Engineering' is to write descriptive articles on the new buildings, illustrated with photographs.
Minutes of meetings held in 1905 record information about construction work on the Great Hall and mention the continued construction of A, B, and C Blocks, including references to delays. Minutes of the meting held on 28 September 1905 include a report on the state of the works which confirms that occupation had been intended for the start of the autumn term but that only part of the Metallurgy department and possibly part of the Mining department were complete, and it would be preferable to postpone the move until the spring term. Minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 1905 report that, although Blocks A, B, and C were not quite complete, Professors Kapp, Burstall, Dixon, Turner, and Redmayne had taken possession of their departments of Engineering, Metallurgy, and Mining. These minutes also include a report by Professor Burstall on the working of the power station, and a report by Professor Kapp on the acquisition of laboratory equipment [for electrical engineering], a report by Professor Dixon on requirements for the Civil Engineering department to make alterations to the building to make the work of the department easier, and to employ mechanic and draughtsman, and another report by Professor Dixon is included in minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 1905 asking for a machine for the 'strength of materials' laboratory. Minutes of meetings held at the end of 1905 contain detailed discussion of machinery and apparatus.
The committee was presented with a preliminary report, with a plan, on the lay-out of the Bournbrook site with roads, paths, and landscaped areas, written by Professor Hillhouse, at the meeting held on 26 January 1905. These minutes also contain the first references to preliminary sketches made by Anning Bell of the ceramic frieze to be mounted on the buildings. Minutes of the meeting held on 30 March 1905 contain further references, with costs, and also mention the appointment of H. Pegram to design the sculptural frieze. In addition, these minutes contain information about the completion of the power station and the installation of machinery and apparatus in A, B, and C Blocks. Minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 1905 refer to a 'temporary luncheon room' partitioned from the fitting shop, with supplies of gas and water to the kitchen, and mention an arrangement with Birmingham Coffee House Company Ltd to supply lunches to students.
In 1906, the committee began to discuss plans for buildings to be constructed in front of the semi-circle comprising A, B and C Blocks and the Great Hall. Minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 1906 mention that Sir Aston Webb laid out preliminary sketch plans of the Chemistry, Physics, and Library blocks. These minutes also contain copies of reports by Professor Redmayne on the 'experimental mine' and the need for additional equipment for the coal and metal mining laboratories, by Professor Burstall on the working of the Mechanical Engineering department, Professor Kapp on the Electrical Engineering department, and Professor Dixon on the Civil Engineering department. The main construction work taking place on the site during 1906 was on the Great Hall, and the minutes contain much detail about this. There are also detailed descriptions of the electric lighting installation. Minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 1906 contain the first mention of the design of the clock tower, and minutes of the meeting held on 25 October 1906 contain a copy of the architects' report on the estimated cost of the Harding library, to be funded by the family of the late Charles Harding. Minutes of meetings held towards the end of 1906 contain discussion of estimates for the Chemistry, Physics, and Library blocks, including tenders submitted by Thomas Rowbotham.
The main focus of construction work during 1907 shifted to the clock tower, and to the start of work on the Physics and Chemistry blocks. Minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 1907 include a copy of a letter from Sir Aston Webb and Edward Ingress Bell concerning tenders for the clock tower, and estimates for the construction of the Physics and Chemistry blocks, and the library, and the committee discussed issues relating to this work throughout the year, Minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 1907 contain information about methods of heating and lighting these blocks, and about equipment required for the Harding Library. The committee continued to oversee work on the Great Hall, Chemistry and Physics blocks, the Library, and the clock tower during 1908. Minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 1908 include a report on capital expenditure incurred on the site for the erection and equipment of the new building, which mentions that the Physics and Chemistry blocks and the Library were expected to be ready for use by staff and students in October 1909. The minutes also contain discussion about the selection of the clock and bells for the tower, references to the firm chosen to supply them, and specifications for the clock, bells, and lift for the tower. Minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 1908 include a copy of a memorandum by Professor Burstall on the additional equipment required for the 'hall of machines' as well as discussion about the gardening work required to layout and plant the site, and the conversion of land for the recreation ground. Minutes of meetings held towards the end of 1908 contain further detail about this work on the playing fields, as well as continued construction work on the clock tower, Physics and Chemistry blocks, and the Library.
During 1909 the committee discussed ways of commemorating the contribution of major benefactors, including the possibility of naming A, B, and C Blocks after donors to the campaign to raise money for the construction of the buildings, and the form of description at the base of the clock tower to mark Joseph Chamberlain's contribution to the foundation of the University. There are also references to the fixing of a memorial tablet to commemorate the official opening of the buildings by Edward VII in July 1909, and discussion of the poor acoustics in the Great Hall which produced resonance which affected speeches made in the room. The minutes contain information about the layout of the grounds, including descriptions of the work required to be carried out by the gardeners, and the equipment needed. Minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 1909 include a statement of accounts submitted by Thomas Rowbotham for work executed on the superstructure and finishings and subsidiary works in connection with A, B, and C Blocks, and the Great Hall. Reports of the Buildings committee record that work on the Library was complete by the summer of 1909 but was continued on the Chemistry and Physics blocks. The committee continued to oversee work on these buildings in 1910, but minutes also contain references to work to plant trees, problems with the drainage of the athletics ground and playing fields, and the construction of dressing rooms for men and women students, with baths and showers. The minutes record that some work continued on the site in April 1910, but that only a small number of workers and fewer materials. Minutes of the meeting held on 27 October 1910 include a memorandum of balances for all accounts for Thomas Rowbotham and other contractors. No meetings were held between the end of October 1910 and the end of February 1911.
Only one meeting was held in 1911, on 22 February. The minutes include reports by the architects on the playing fields and particularly on drainage problems in 1911. The other major concern of the committee was the need for pointing the brickwork on the clock tower following the ingress of water, and alterations to the electric lighting in the new buildings. The only meeting held in 1912 took place on 24 January, and the minutes state that this was the final meeting of the committee. These discuss minor repairs and include a statement of receipts for the endowment fund.
Minutes of the Buildings committee from 1900 to 1912 contain much incidental detail about the internal layout of Blocks A, B, and C. Despite the lack of plans the narrative descriptions allow some reconstruction of how the academic departments and other facilities were laid out in the period before the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, and certainly allow for a comprehensive overview of the machinery and equipment provided for the machine rooms and laboratories of the Engineering, Mining, and Metallurgy departments. These records can also be used to piece together information about the topography of the site itself, before building work had begun, as well as the land used as a rifle range by the First Warwickshire Volunteer Battalion, which was an additional gift by Lord Calthorpe in 1908. The minutes also contain information about the supply of water and gas, and references to discussion with Birmingham Corporation about these utilities.
A Buildings committee was appointed by Council in 1925 to manage new building work on the Edgbaston campus after the First World War, primarily the Biology block. Membership of this revived committee consisted of the Vice-Chancellor in the chair, the Treasurer, the Principal, lay members of Council, Professor Burstall, Professor Ling, Professor Yapp, and Professor Gamble. Maurice Webb and the Secretary also attended. The first meeting was held on 3 June 1925. The minutes contain information about tenders received for the foundations and superstructure, and the appointment of Thomas Rowbotham as building contractor again. There were no meetings held between July 1925 and April 1926, but minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 1926 contain discussion of fittings for the new building, and mention consultations with the heads of the Botanical and Brewing and Biochemistry departments about the supply of specialist fittings. The committee did not meet again until 17 December 1926 when it discussed requirements for fittings in more detail, and the minutes include a copy of a letter from the architects Aston Webb and from the quantity surveyor. They also mention the formal opening of the building. One meeting was held in 1927, on 12 January, at which the committee discussed layout of the Botanical museum, the lecture theatre, and the teaching rooms.
A committee called the Students Union Buildings committee, and later the Guild of Undergraduates Buildings committee, was established in 1928 to manage the construction of the Guild of Students building on Edgbaston Park Road. Although it had a different name, its function appears to be the same as that of the two Buildings committees. Membership consisted of the Pro-Chancellor, Sir Gilbert Barling, Hugh Morton, George Kenrick, and other members of Council. Meetings were also attended by the Secretary, and sometimes by the architects, Holland and Hobbiss. Minutes of the first meeting, held on 16 November 1928, mention that the architects exhibited a model of the proposed building, and that there was discussion of modifications to it, as well as of the heating supply, entrance from Edgbaston Park Road, levelling the land adjoining the site, and a ceremony to lay the foundation stone or to mark the opening of the building. Only one meeting was held in 1929, on 27 March, to discuss the progress of work and the formal opening of the building. Minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 1930 include an elevation plan of the front of the building, showing the location of coats of arms to be fixed to the facade, and the minutes discuss the finishing of the building and the layout of the grounds. Minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 1930 discuss furnishings, and record that the committee agreed that a Union Management committee should take over control of the premises from 1 September 1930. This was the Union committee, minutes of which are described at UB/GUILD/A/4
The last meeting of the committee, now described as the Guild of Undergraduates Buildings committee, held on 16 December 1930, discuss the terracing of the allotment site and refer to making tennis courts, the supply of additional furniture, the illumination of the entrance pillars, and the provision of car parking facilities. They also contain figures for the total payment to the contractor to date. |