NW Architecture Festival begins next week
The Royal Institute of British Architects will launch the month-long North West Architecture Festival 2010 on Tuesday 1 June in Liverpool.
The launch is being hosted by property group Downing in the refurbished atrium of the Grade II* listed Port of Liverpool Building.
RIBA has lined up a range of events throughout June, from a travelling exhibition called Architruck, guided walking tours around Liverpool's Waterfront showcasing some of the best architecture in the region, to guest lectures from some of the country's leading structural designers.
The festival is a celebration of the outstanding architecture to be found in the North West and will be highlighting the release of the RIBA's '350 Awards' shortlist, an award given to projects under £350,000; which will include a 'People's Choice Award.' The Architruck, with the 350 Awards designs inside, will be open to the public at the Port of Liverpool event on Tuesday.
George Clarke, architect and presenter of Channel 4's Restoration Man, said: "I spend my career trying to get the public to think about Architecture and how spaces can effect how we live, RIBA's North West Architecture Festival is a really exciting opportunity for people to have their say on what makes great architecture, the Peoples Choice award will be an interesting insight into how people feel about architecture."
Belinda Irlam-Mowbray, director of RIBA North West, said: "We are really excited about launching Architecture Festival 2010 in Liverpool, this year's 350 Award is a great way for the public to have their favourite building celebrated. We really want people to come down to the Pier Head on 1 June 1 and vote for their favourite building from this year's 350 Award shortlist for the 'People's Choice Award' and get people thinking about architecture.'
Speaking at the press launch will be John Hickey, chairman of the RIBA North West; Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the North West Development Agency; Mike Parker, chairman of Liverpool Vision (who is also RIBA client of the year) as well as a representative from Downing Property Group.
Architecture Festival 2010 runs from 1 June to 26 June
