David Adjaye On Display

THE first gallery in Liverpool dedicated to presenting architecture as art will open in the city tomorrow. For the first show they have brought David Adjaye, an up-and-coming architect, from Ghana.

The Centre for the Understanding of the Built Environment (Cube) will open a new exhibition space in the Tea Factory on Wood Street.

It could be the first stages of creating a single centre in the city dedicated to arts and design.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Liverpool Biennial, Arts Council North West and Liverpool and Manchester Design Initiative are all in talks at present looking at moving into the Tea Factory as partners.

The deal is yet to be signed but would mean that some of the biggest players in design and art would be centralised in the city centre.

The idea behind Cube's exhibition space it is to show the public a different way to look at the architecture around us.

For the first show they have brought David Adjaye, an upand-coming architect, from Ghana.

His creation, The Asymmetric Chamber, is a narrow passageway made from wood and has different coloured lights as well as music, written by Mr Adjaye's brother Peter.

Liverpool representative for Cube, John Elcock, said: "Cube have decided to come to Liverpool because any city with ?2bn of planned development is a great place to come and see what we can offer."

Mr Adjaye said about his work: "I have always been fascinated by contemporary music and feel there is a great link to be explored between that music and what I do.

"I therefore took this opportunity to work with my brother, Peter Adjaye to create a fusion between music and space."

The RIBA's regional office hope to move to the city from their current home in Knutsford next year.

Belinda Irlam-Mowbray, regional director for the institute said: "The RIBA are looking to move regional office to Liverpool but we are not going to do that alone.

"We are going to form partners with Liverpool Biennial, Arts Council North West, and the Design Initiative. We are hoping to move into the Tea Factory.

"This could be a very exciting time for us."

Liverpool Biennial and Liverpool and Manchester Design Initiative said that nothing had been confirmed as the RIBA was yet to put anything on paper.

The Adjaye piece is on display until March and then will be followed by the Housing Design Awards exhibition.