'Face of Liverpool' integrated art and architecture

Artists and designers from BCA, Broadbent and Smiling Wolf have worked closely to create an integrated art and architecture solution, on a site sitting on the threshold of national and international trade connections.

Subtle intersecting lines, etched, cast, blasted and illuminated within walls and floorscape, link glass discs that identify Liverpool’s exports and portray Liverpool ‘faces’ of the world.

A curved wall with the inscription, in morse code, ‘ Permission to Come Alongside’, greets travelers along King Edward Street and helps to frame another unique space.

‘The Tower Plaza’ sheltered from the heavy traffic becomes another livable space which houses unique sculptural seating and feature lighting. Set within the walls are illuminated glass portholes, portraying contemporary faces of people that reflect the diversity of Liverpool.

The 32 different faces represent, in some part, Liverpool’s diverse gene pool, pioneers, traders, travelers, migrant people, throughout history and from all over the world, that have made Liverpool their home.

Extensive community consultation was underaken to find the 'faces'.  The stories behind each 'face' was so interesting that the client commissioned a 'Face of Liverpoo' book, which depicts the life journies of each of the 'faces' and their families and explores the country from which they immigrated.

The work was commissioned by developers Beetham Organization.

The scheme was completed in 2006