A unique exhibition revealing the hidden world of the architect’s sketchbook opens in Belfast this week. 

The Secret Laboratory, curated and co-designed by Paul Clarke, Course Director of the Master of Architecture at the University of Ulster, brings together a series of private reflections by architects from across Ireland and the United Kingdom.  

It is the first time that the personal notebooks and sketchbooks of these writers, lecturers, practitioners and critics have been on public display. 

“This exhibition shows the quality of ideas, observations, thoughts and reflections that are often concealed in a drawer in the studio, a coat pocket or in the imagination of the individual architect,” explains Paul. 

“In our digital age the drawing and the sketch still have their value as being fundamental to artistic, theoretical and architectural practice. We are familiar with the sketchbook as used by architects on the ‘grand tour’ to record their journey – but what of the everyday observations of things that inspire architects and in turn are captured in their notebooks.” 

The Secret Laboratory – Notebooks and Narratives is co-designed by Niall O’Hare, a graduate of the Master of Architecture at the University of Ulster.  

The exhibition opens at 6pm on Thursday 4 February at PLACE gallery, Fountain Street, Belfast and runs until Saturday 27 March 2010.  For further information contact 028 90232524 or email info@place.co.uk