will alsop's the public

The area where I lived in England back in '95-'96, the West Midlands, is known more for rows of depressing post-war housing than for architectural innovation.  Which is why I'm delighted with Will Alsop's project The Public in West Bromwich.  It reminds me of the buildings that I loved in Amsterdam's Eastern Docklands last fall, all modern whimsy.  The Public is meant to house the community arts organization of the same name, and also includes space for a theater, recording studios and office space.  The building has been controversial, going both over budget and over schedule and generating concern about a lack of focus, and I'm not sure it bodes well that I couldn't load its Web page this morning.  But here's hoping this is a case of "build it and they will come."  The Guardian has some great images here, including one of the groovy bike racks.