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September 2016
Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg has been shooting his latest blockbuster, ‘Ready Player One’, just minutes away from our new office on Colmore Row. Filming of the sci-fi thriller has taken over areas of the city in the past week with the crew transforming Digbeth and the Jewellery Quarter into a dystopian vision of 2045 Ohio through street art, signage and vehicles of all shapes and sizes. The impact these props have had on the character of both areas has been interesting: although minor changes, the streetscene has changed drastically. It got me thinking: if Hollywood can do it for a week or so, then as professionals in the built environment, surely we can implement some small changes to make a permanent impact when Spielberg and co. have gone?
I’m not saying I want Birmingham to look like 2045 dystopian Ohio, but I think it clearly shows that small changes can have a huge impact on the city, bigger is not always better and small shouldn’t be overlooked.
