ONE of Europe's top architects is to design a £15m art gallery and civic square in Middlesbrough.

Erik van Egeraat, of Rotterdam and London-based EEA Architects, was chosen from more than 100 applicants to design the town centre gallery, which council chiefs hope will become the "most significant modern building" on Teesside.

The award-winning architect has been responsible for many of Europe's most high-profile public buildings over the past 20 years, including the Kunsthal and natural history museum in Rotterdam and the extension of the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork.

He is currently building the new Royal Shakespeare theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Middlesbrough's £11m gallery will house the town's collection of modern arts and crafts, which is currently split between the Linthorpe Road art gallery and the Cleveland craft centre.

The building will include a caf-restaurant, shop and education spaces, and it is hoped it will attract international touring exhibitions.

EEA will also design a £4m civic square in the town centre, which will be used as an exhibition and performance space. The project should be completed by 2005.

Council chief executive John Foster said Mr Egeraat was chosen because of his "imaginative, thought-provoking high quality public buildings".

"I am sure that the building and square which EEA creates will rapidly become Middlesbrough landmarks, providing a focus for civic pride. It is no exaggeration to say that they can become the most significant modern buildings in the conurbation," he said.

"This project embodies the vision which the council and its many partners wish to realise for Middlesbrough.

"It will bring about significant enhancement of the public realm and give Middlesbrough a cultural resource equal to any in the country."

Middlesbrough Council is contributing £3.5m to the gallery, the Arts Council has earmarked £4.5m, development agency One NorthEast will provide £2.5m and £500,000 will come from the Northern Rock Foundation.

The square will be financed by the council and Single Regeneration Budget funding.

Mr Egeraat will discuss the project with councillors in Middlesbrough, on Tuesday.