Will Alsop's The Public, a new arts building for West Bromwich

The Public. A new multi-purpose building in West Bromwich, designed by Will Alsop Architects Photograph: David Levene/Guardian

Funded by the Arts Council, it has been a troubled project that has gone over schedule and over budget Photograph: David Levene/Guardian

A cascade of windows ruptures the black box exterior Photograph: David Levene/Guardian

Its big, irregular windows seem to suggest a new way of looking at things Photograph: David Levene/Guardian

'This is something new - and therefore we don't know what it is, quite', says Alsop Photograph: David Levene/Guardian

Bicycle racks reflect the objects of their purpose Photograph: Guardian

'Architecture is building plus something,' says Alsop. 'As I get older, I don't want to explain what that something is - that would spoil it.' Photograph: David Levene/Guardian