The Cube, Birmingham, UK - Great architecture

The Cube, such a wonderful example of modern and creative architecture in Birmingham built between 2007 and 2010 and inspired by the city's tradition of jewellery making.


The Cube

Birmingham

B1 1RN

View site map HERE.

Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

In brief

The Cube was built between 2007 and 2010. It is located near The Mailbox alongside the Worcester & Birmingham Canal on Commercial Street and near Washington Wharf at B1 1RN. The building was designed by Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects. 

The Cube is one of Birmingham's iconic builds and is much loved by the City and photographers.

The Cube, at 25-storeys high, is a mixed-use development. It contains apartments, offices, restaurants, a hotel and a 'skyline' Steakhouse Bar & Grill run by award winning chef and celebrity Marco Pierre White. The Cube even has its own bowling alley.

Taking inspiration from the city’s jewellery making tradition, Ken Shuttleworth's vision for The Cube was to create “an enchanting jewellery box”, rich with light and intricate gold and bronze geometric shapes. 

Abstract of The Cube by Pete Davies

The building’s iconic jewel-like exterior is complemented by an interior that is filled with evocative bronze sculptures by renowned local street artist, Temper.

The panoramic view of the City from the top of The Cube is stunning.

November 2020 - Daniel Sturley

 

The story of the build

Open in 2010 - Photos by Elliott Brown

Daniel as judge the next year.

Won by Faye Lowey and Oliver Kuklovsky in 2017 with Oliver winning the new youth award.

2017 Chris Fletcher

2018 Peter Leadbetter

View from the Cube by Daniel Sturley

Project dates

22 Sep 2017 - On-going

Passions

Photography, Modern Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com

Related posts

Modern Architecture
24 Sep 2020 - Your Place Your Space
Introducing

The Cube, Birmingham, UK - A City Gem (modern architecture) - cycle, walk or visit with us

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The Cube was built between 2007 and 2010.  It is located near The Mailbox alongside the Worcester & Birmingham Canal on Commercial Street and near Washington Wharf at B1 1RN. The architect was Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects. 

The Cube is one of Birmingham's iconic builds and is much loved by the City and photographers.

Take our post.

Related

The Cube, Birmingham, UK - A City Gem (modern architecture) - cycle, walk or visit with us





The Cube was built between 2007 and 2010.  It is located near The Mailbox alongside the Worcester & Birmingham Canal on Commercial Street and near Washington Wharf at B1 1RN. The architect was Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects. 

The Cube is one of Birmingham's iconic builds and is much loved by the City and photographers.

Take our post.


The Cube at 25-storeys high is a mixed-use development. It contains apartments, offices, restaurants, a hotel and a 'skyline' Steakhouse Bar & Grill run by award winning chef and celebrity Marco Pierre White.  The Cube even has its own bowling alley.

Taking inspiration from the city’s jewellery making tradition, Ken Shuttleworth's vision for The Cube was to create “an enchanting jewellery box”, rich with light and intricate gold and bronze geometric shapes. 

The building’s iconic jewel-like exterior is complemented by an interior that is filled with evocative bronze sculptures by renowned local street artist, Temper.

The panoramic view of the City from the top of The Cube is stunning.

For the site map select HERE.

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Here is a selection of photography from our community.

This one taken during construction of The Cube in 2009.

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Photographer: Daniel Sturley.

And here are some of our community's gallery of photography after the build was completed. 

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Photographer: Chris Fletcher.

dndimg dndsrc="http://architectureandus.com/uploadedfiles/IMG_0917b.jpg" />

Photography: Daniel Sturley

dndimg dndsrc="http://architectureandus.com/uploadedfiles/A%20Fine%20Morning%20At%20The%20Cube.jpg" />

Photographer: Chris Fletcher

And here are some creative takes on the build.

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Photographer: Fay Loewy

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Photographer: Imran Ali Bashir

For more detail on the build select HERE.

Coming soon - The Birmingham Gems 'Creativity and Culture Trail'

The Cube will be featured in an amazing trail of modern architecture across the City and a new showcase of creativity to be launched on a new Birmingham Gems interactive digital platform later this year.  

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube Map 3.png" style="width: 100%;" />

To find out more contact:

Jonathan Bostock, email: Jonathan.Bostock@peoplemattersnework.com 

07432 637322

 

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30 passion points
Photography
10 Nov 2020 - Daniel Sturley
Gallery

Amazing views from The Cube, Birmingham - a day's photography with Birmingham We Are

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On the 4th November, the day before the second national lockdown, Daniel Sturley, community photographer at Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build was invited to The Cube to experience and capture the early morning and late afternoon views from the 25th floor. 

Take the full feature and enjoy a selection of stunning photography.  

Related

Amazing views from The Cube, Birmingham - a day's photography with Birmingham We Are





On the 4th November, the day before the second national lockdown, Daniel Sturley, community photographer at Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build was invited to The Cube to experience and capture the early morning and late afternoon views from the 25th floor. 

Take the full feature and enjoy a selection of stunning photography.  


Birrmingham has always been a city of huge creativity and the city's architects are acknowledged for some of the most creative builds seen anywhere across the world. One of the most photographed and talked about is The Cube, designed by architect Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects. 

Built between 2007 and 2010, The Cube is a mixed-use development located near The Mailbox alongside the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_9618b_CUBE.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

At 7am on the 4th November, Daniel is given exclusive access to floor 25 of The Cube, home of the Marco Pierre White restaurant.

Here is a small selection of Daniel's photography taken before and during an amazing sunrise as experienced sky high at The Cube. 

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Very early before the city sunrise looking at the Mercian and Bank Tower 2 on Broad Street.

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Getting creative through the glasses and bottles.

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And then the sun riseth.

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Creating shadows on the interiors of the rooftop restaurant:

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With great views of the city from the terrace:

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Later the same day, Birmingham We Are and Daniel are invited back to The Cube to experience the late afternoon views as seen from the 25th floor of The Cube.

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Stunning photography!

Thank you to the Cube team for the invitation and the experience. 

Get in touch

Showcase your build and your city with Birmingham We Are and It's your Build.

Contact jonathan.bostock@peoplemattersnetwork.com for more information.

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50 passion points
Modern Architecture
11 May 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The Cube from 2011 to The Big Hoot 2015

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A gallery of photos I've taken of The Cube from early 2011 until 2015 when The Big Hoot owl sculpture trail was on. Over the years I have taken many views of The Cube from the City Centre. Either from the canals or from the nearby streets. Many different views of it to see. The only time I got the lift all the way up to the top was in the summer of 2015 to see The Big Hoot owl up there

Related

The Cube from 2011 to The Big Hoot 2015





A gallery of photos I've taken of The Cube from early 2011 until 2015 when The Big Hoot owl sculpture trail was on. Over the years I have taken many views of The Cube from the City Centre. Either from the canals or from the nearby streets. Many different views of it to see. The only time I got the lift all the way up to the top was in the summer of 2015 to see The Big Hoot owl up there


I've taken many views of The Cube over the years. This is a gallery of photos I've taken between 2011 and 2015. Most of them taken in 2011 and 2012. By 2013 the Library of Birmingham had opened, so some new views. By 2015 I went into The Cube to see the pair of Big Hoot owls, which you will see further down this post.

2011

These views of The Cube were taken during January 2011.

View from Upper Gough Street, looking down Upper Marshall Street.

dndimg alt="The Cube" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube (Jan 2011) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The view below was from Washington Street.

dndimg alt="The Cube" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube (Jan 2011) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Better view from the end of Washington Street, close to Commercial Street.

dndimg alt="The Cube" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube (Jan 2011) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Close up from Wasington Street before going onto Commercial Street.

dndimg alt="The Cube" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube (Jan 2011) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The rear entrance on Commercial Street. Was a website at the time called The Cube is Coming. Promising Amazing Views.

dndimg alt="The Cube" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube (Jan 2011) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Looking up from Commercial Street towards the Crown.

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Commercial Street from ground level.

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Slightly further back on Commercial Street with the building to the left.

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The Cube dominating every other building on Commercial Street.

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There is also a view from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal between Granville Street and the Salvage Turn Bridge. This would have been from the Granville Street Bridge towards The Mailbox.

dndimg alt="The Cube" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube (Jan 2011) (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2012

Now for some views taken during February 2012.

This view of The Cube was taken from Granville Street near Washington Wharf. There is an old building surviving amongst all the modern ones here.

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Views of The Cube taken from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal between Bath Row and Granville Street, February 2012.

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In front of The Cube on the canalside is The Maltings, also called Davenports House, they are student accommodation for University College Birmingham (UCB).

dndimg alt="The Cube" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube WB Canal (Feb 2012) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

You can get onto the canal from the steps at Bath Row near Bishopsgate Street. If you want to, get off the canal at the steps at Granville Street.

dndimg alt="The Cube" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube WB Canal (Feb 2012) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In fact I did get off the canal at Granville Street. One last view of The Cube from down here.

dndimg alt="The Cube" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube WB Canal (Feb 2012) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2013

Views of The Cube taken in May 2013.

This view below from Brindleyplace, while I was on Oozells Street. Looking down Berkley Street.

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Another view from Oozells Street looking down Berkley Street below. Concrete one one of the nightclubs on Broad Street. The Rocket Club.

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Detailed zoom in from Berkley Street towards the criss crosses patterns. A bit like TETRIS (and this was before Holiday Inn Express was built on Holliday Street).

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Corner of the Crown zoomed up from Berkley Street.

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In July 2013 there was a Mini below The Cube from the canalside. Was something about My First Mini.

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In August 2013 I saw this Diving Sculpture from Waterfront Walk near the canalside towpath of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal opposite The Cube.

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The artist was Cathy Lewis and she was commissioned to make it in 2006 by Charles Church Developments to create a large sculpture for a public site beside the new Register Office at Holliday Wharf, Birmingham. At the time a narrowboat name Eloiuse was moored up on the canal.

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Slightly further back view of Cathy Lewis's Diving Sculpture from Waterfront Walk.

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In the middle of September 2013 on a photo walk around Highgate, I spotted this view of The Cube from Angelina Street.

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In September 2013, the then new Library of Birmingham opened to the public for the first time, and while there got some views of The Cube from there. This view was from Level 2, at the time known as the Knowledge floor.

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View of The Cube from the Discovery Terrace at the Library of Birmingham which was on Level 3, known at the time as the Discovery floor.

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Another view from the Discovery Terrace, with some of circular structure of the Library of Birmingham above.

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In this December 2013 view below taken from Tyseley Station. The zoom on my then bridge camera probably went beyond into digital zoom which gets a bit pixelly. The area above the Tyseley DMU Depot. At the time I got a train from my local station, got off at Tyseley, then waited for another train on the line to Solihull.

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2014

Not so many views taken of The Cube in 2014. In October 2014 I was looking for a blue plaque on Tindal Street in Balsall Heath when I spotted this view of The Cube. The Hyatt Hotel is just about visible from here to the right.

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2015

From Centenary Square during January 2015. Winter Skate Birmingham (late Ice Skate Birmingham) was being dismantled after the end of the Christmas / Winter season. Saw this view of The Cube looking down Bridge Street. At the time the former Register Office (later House of Sport) had yet to be demolished for Arena Central. The Hyatt Hotel seen to the right. There was a JCB in Centenary Square,

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The July 2015 visit to The Cube was to see the pair of Big Hoot owls that they had in the building.

A few floors down from the ground floor was Mr Architect by the artist Sam Pierpoint and the sponsor was The Cube. On this side the design had The Cube as the hair, Library of Birmingham as the wings, The Mailbox was on the legs and Selfridges as the feet.

dndimg alt="The Cube Big Hoot 2015" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube Big Hoot (July 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The design had The Cube as the hair, Curzon Street Station at the back of the head, and the Library of Birmingham as the body and Selfridges as the feet.

dndimg alt="The Cube Big Hoot 2015" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube Big Hoot (July 2015) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This sign on the ground floor welcomed you to The Cube. Mr Architect was reachable via the lift or escalators to Level 5. For Owl-livia, you had to take the lift up to Level 25 to the Hotel Indigo Reception area.

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After catching the lift up to Level 25 it was time to look at the next owl. Owl-livia was by the artist Charlie Langhorne and the sponsor was Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill Birmingham.

dndimg alt="The Cube Big Hoot 2015" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube Big Hoot (July 2015) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

While at the top near Hotel Indigo and Marco Pierre White, I took an opportunity to get photos of the views from the top.

dndimg alt="The Cube Big Hoot 2015" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube Big Hoot (July 2015) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This view from the top of The Cube towards Jurys Inn and other buildings along Broad Street. It has changed a lot since then (I've not had a need to go back up to the top of The Cube since).

dndimg alt="The Cube Big Hoot 2015" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Cube Big Hoot (July 2015) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I may next cover The Cube from 2016 to 2020, but might be less photos.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

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40 passion points
Construction & regeneration
16 Apr 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The Cube from the last year of construction in 2009 till it was completed in 2010

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I only started taking photos around Birmingham in 2009, so didn't get my first close up photos of The Cube until the summer of 2009. On and off I got the odd photo update. Then in 2010 when it was getting close to completion I took more photos of it. The Lovely People statues were installed by the end of 2010. This year The Cube is getting close to it's 10th anniversary.

Related

The Cube from the last year of construction in 2009 till it was completed in 2010





I only started taking photos around Birmingham in 2009, so didn't get my first close up photos of The Cube until the summer of 2009. On and off I got the odd photo update. Then in 2010 when it was getting close to completion I took more photos of it. The Lovely People statues were installed by the end of 2010. This year The Cube is getting close to it's 10th anniversary.


The Cube

The Cube was built between 2007 and 2010. The architect was Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects. It should have been completed by 2008 but got delayed until 2010. Located near The Mailbox alongside the Worcester & Birmingham Canal on Commercial Street and near Washington Wharf.

 

2009

Indirect views of the construction of The Cube taken during April 2009 from Gas Street Basin. These are crops of the original photos. So you have the bridge near the Tap & Spile.

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The narrowboats at Worcester Bar, and the buildings behind were derelict.

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Views from June 2009. From the Worcester & Birmingham Canal towards the Salvage Turn Bridge.

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Towards The Mailbox.

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From The Mailbox.

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The view from Brindleyplace along Oozells Street from Oozells Square (beyond Broad Street and down Berkley Street).

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In October 2009 from Digbeth, The Cube on the Skyline behind The Sentinels, and to the left of the Beetham Tower and Centre City Tower. The Custard Factory (Devonshire House) is to the right.

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December 2009 at The Mailbox (I was there for a work Christmas Party). Nightshots. Cladding of The Cube almost done apart from the Crown.

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Views of The Cube down Bridge Street. Cladding on the side facing Premier Inn was not quite done.

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Buildings on the left on the Arena Central site would not be demolished until 2015. Was an old hospital (I think).

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2010

Heading to February 2010, this view was between Baskerville House and the site of the Library of Birmingham. Cladding around The Cube looked done, but the Crown still hadn't had glass panels installed. The old Municipal Bank below.

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From Cambridge Street past the Library of Birmingham site. This end of The REP was going to be demolished before the library was built. Could see The Cube to the left. If you stand here today, you will not be able to See The Cube (unless you go up to the Discovery Terrace or Secret Garden).

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A few more views of The Cube from Bridge Street with a Victorian style lamppost. Looks like a gas lit one (but probably has light bulbs).

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May 2010 and they had finally put up the glass panels on the Crown of The Cube. Views from The Mailbox.

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The Highways Agency would become one of the first tenants at The Cube.

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This view over the future Arena Central site behind Centenary Plaza. This was a view from Centenary Square near the Hall of Memory.

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June 2010 and my first views of The Cube now more or less complete from Highgate Park and on the skyline with The Sentinels and Beetham Tower.

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Views from Bristol Street. Buildings that were on Holloway Head. So not far from Holloway Circus.

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July 2010 and some more views of The Cube from The Mailbox.

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The Cube from Gas Street Basin, now complete.

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December 2010 and my first interior photos of The Cube. Mainly to see the Lovely People statues.

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The Lovely People by Temper.

Urban

Positioned as though welcoming guests to The Cube, ‘Urban’ represents the difficulties of facing of adversity, as well as the triumphs of overcoming these to create a better life.
Inspiration: Lee Fortnam, who faced troubles throughout his early life, but with the help of The Prince’s Trust went on to begin a successful career as a Corgi registered gas and plumbing engineer – later becoming an ambassador for the charity.

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Mother & Child

The only pair of figures within the collection, ‘Mother and Child’ can be found on Level 7, sharing the unparalleled bond between a mother and her children.
Inspiration: Ellie-Mae, who was born in with a hole in her heart, and Rachel, who had no choice but to leave her daughter in the capable hands of the staff at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

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Uplifted

Suspended high within the atrium, ‘Uplifted’ tells the story of bravery and self-sacrifice of those who help people in need. The sculpture was designed to show a person holding on to the balloon preparing for life’s ride.
Inspiration: Firefighter Dave Burns of the West Midlands Fire Service who, in 1992, entered a 20-storey building to rescue two colleagues from a floor engulfed in flames. Burns was later awarded the George Medal by Queen Elizabeth II.

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Working Man

Found on Level 5, ‘The Working Man’ is sat on a bench reading a newspaper, representative of people who work to provide for their family and put a roof over their head.
Inspiration: Birmingham-born Barry O’Neil who turned the notion of ‘nine-to-five’ into something much more heroic. Having worked for some of the West Midlands greatest manufacturers, including JCB and MG Rover, O’Neil proved there is no pursuit more honest or dignified.

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Persuit

Tucked within the office spaces on Level 8 you’ll find ‘Pursuit’, representing Birmingham’s entrepreneurial heritage and the legacy it holds to this day.
Inspiration: Paul Bassi, businessman and first Asian president of the Chamber of Commerce, recognised for his contribution to business and the economy, as well as his selflessness.

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Survivor

An addition to Level 6, ‘Survivor’ reflects the perseverance and bravery of people when faced with times of crisis.
Inspiration: Holocaust survivor, Gerda Cavangh, who escaped Vienna, trekked across Europe and arrived in England as a stowaway. Born into a Jewish family in Austria, Cavangh’s mother encouraged her to flee the country. Once in England, she worked as a medical orderly in the Auxiliary Territorial Services, receiving two service medals for her work.

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I've taken more views of The Cube since then from 2011 until earlier in 2020 on and off, but will leave those photos for another post maybe.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Now at 1,110 followers. Thank you.

Birmingham We Are People with Passion award winner 2020

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60 passion points
Construction & regeneration
29 Aug 2018 - Daniel Sturley
Gallery

The Construction of The Cube During the Summer of 2009

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During June and July of 2009 Daniel Sturley took photos of the construction of Birmingham's iconic The Cube. Lots of great photos in the full post.

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The Construction of The Cube During the Summer of 2009





During June and July of 2009 Daniel Sturley took photos of the construction of Birmingham's iconic The Cube. Lots of great photos in the full post.


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Photos by Daniel Sturley

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56 passion points
Photography
22 Sep 2017 - Daniel Sturley
News & Updates

Great talent spotted by The Cube!

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The Cube Photographers of 2017 have been announced. Here's Fay & Oliver with their trophies & entries - brilliant photography of an iconic building! Last year's winner Daniel of BirminghamWeAre fame one of the judges this year says "the talent was incredible making the decision an extremely difficult one"

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Close and return