Lessons from Liverpool

2026 sees the opening of the new Liverpool School of Architecture, the design of which was selected through a competition which also functioned as an educational project. This book documents the process from the initial pedagogical discussions to the building’s completion, beautifully captured by photographers Richard Pare, Martin Winchester, and Hélène Binet. It records the selection of the architectural practices invited to participate, O’Donnell + Tuomey’s winning proposal, and the construction phase, which became a learning tool in itself. A central requirement of the brief was that the new building should establish a meaningful relationship with its existing context: a Georgian terrace and a 1930s modernist block, adapted in the 1980s. The project needed to respect this heritage while anticipating future approaches to architectural education. Conversations with leading North American architectural educators on architectural education, culture and practice further informed the brief, and are included in the book. The competition was structured in multiple stages to encourage inclusivity and dialogue among students, staff, and University representatives. Eighteen prominent British and European practices were invited to participate, among them 6a Architects, Barozzi and Veiga, Carmody Groarke, David Chipperfield Architects, Flores & Prats, Grafton Architects, Lacaton & Vassal, Níall McLaughlin Architects, Eric Parry Architects, and Rogers Stirk Harbour. In the first stage, practices submitted concise portfolios outlining their approach. Nine were shortlisted, from which six finalists were selected. Final presentations took place publicly in June 2019 and the decision was made by jurors Maria Balshaw, Kenneth Frampton, Juhani Pallasmaa, and Michael Wilford. The book presents a wonderful range of submissions across all stages and concludes with an essay by Nicholas Ray on how architects learn, focusing on the studio.