A STUNNING piece of temporary architecture that inspires people to re-examine their neighbourhoods in times of urban renewal is making its first visit to the UK.

Das kuchenmonument - the kitchen monument - is the work of cutting edge German architecture firm raumlaborberlin. They specialise in designing innovative structures, often flexible or temporary, that can offer an interactive environment for discussions on regeneration and community.

The kitchen monument has been located in various European cities, used as a venue for debates, dinners, ballroom dancing and other activities that bring human beings together within a surreal and womb-like space.

It has never before been to the UK, and is being brought to South Sefton - one of the most deprived areas in the country, and part of the government's national housing market renewal programme.

It will be amusing and bemusing people at various locations in the area between June 8 and 12, as part of the unique Art for Places Project.

The project is a partnership between the housing market renewal pathfinder, NewHeartlands, and the world-renowned contemporary arts festival organisation the Liverpool Biennial. The collaboration also pulls together local authorities, housing associations and the Arts Council England North West.

Paul Kelly, Housing Market Renewal Public Realm Project Manager with Liverpool Biennial, said: "The aim of the programme is to explore ways we can integrate art into regeneration areas as part of the housing market renewal programme. Areas like South Sefton are experiencing times of great change - not only in the way they look, but the way they feel, the way they see themselves. Art is a key way to help people re-examine their neighbourhoods. A huge amount of recreating is going on - and this is the perfect opportunity to look at the way art can be brought in to urban design, and made a very real part of people's lives.

"The kitchenmonument is a striking piece of temporary architecture. People will never have seen anything like it before - even walking into a structure like this will provoke debate and discussion, which is exactly what we want."

The kitchenmonument will move to different key locations in the area, hosting debates, workshops, music and tai chi. The hope is that hundreds of local people will attend and find out more about what is going on.

Pauline Davis, managing director of NewHeartlands, said: "Having the first UK visit of the kitchenmonument is thrilling for all of us, and will hopefully attract hundreds of people to come along and see what is going on in the housing market renewal areas, and what role they can play in it."

The kitchenmonument comes 'flatpacked' in a specially made box. The box unfolds, opening its sides to reveal the structure, which is then inflated to 20m long. It has been used in various European cities as a venue for events relating to the arts and urban regeneration.

Its visit to Merseyside begins on Sunday June 8 and ends on June 12.