The future is...?

This is the new public library in Birmingham, currently under construction. I'm not sure what to make of it. The city is full of such conflicting, juxtaposed architectural styles. This is just a few minutes stroll from the typically Victorian civic building I blipped yesterday, in the sunshine. Between the two buildings is a 70's (I think) concrete tiered building, the current central library, with a nondescript shopping mall forming a shortcut under it.

I like the patterns and texture of the exterior, but I suspect it won't stand the test of time. The current library may be grey concrete, but its unadorned lines are actually not that bad, especially compared to some of the dismal office blocks nearby. Much as I liked the Victorian building, we need new iconic buildings that will stand the test of time. I don't think this building is going to be that, but who knows?