A-Cube Architects closes its doors

The independent Manchester practice has entered into voluntary creditors liquidation. The co-founder of the company, Faheem Aftab, together with his core team members, Laura Sanderson and Sarah Gilby, have joined Leach Rhodes Walker.

Insolvency practitioners John Sallabank and Paul Boyle of Harrisons were appointed official liquidator to A-Cube Architects in November.

According to A-Cube's website, the firm once employed 12 staff and offered a full service from concept design and masterplanning to interior design. The company's telephone line has been disconnected and neither liquidator at Harrisons was available for comment today.

A-Cube was established in 2002 and was based on Sparkle Street behind Piccadilly Station. Completed projects included the balcony extension to the Dukes 92 bar in Manchester's Castlefield area and the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Loreto College in Hulme, also in Manchester.

In a statement, Aftab said: "Joining LRW provides the ideal environment to enhance and build upon the excellent public sector reputation we had established with A-Cube. We see this new venture as a natural progression – where we shall continue to work with our education and social housing clients – with the added benefits of combining our pioneering approach with the robust methods of LRW, enabling us to improve the skill set and expertise we can offer – as well as being able to deal with much larger commissions.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for us to provide a tailored service to meet the ever changing demands of the public sector and deliver high quality projects confidently within the current climate."