Lessons from Liverpool
The Competition for a New School of Architecture
Nicholas Ray(Co-Author)
Marco Iuliano(Editor)
Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd
Will be published approx. on 19. January 2027
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-1-84822-408-7 (ISBN)
Description
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 Helene 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 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, among them 6a Architects, Barozzi and Veiga, Carmody Groarke, David Chipperfield Architects, Flores & Prats, Grafton Architects, Lacaton & Vassal, Niall 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.
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, among them 6a Architects, Barozzi and Veiga, Carmody Groarke, David Chipperfield Architects, Flores & Prats, Grafton Architects, Lacaton & Vassal, Niall 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.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Laminated cover
Illustrations
122 Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 270 mm
Width: 229 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
543 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84822-408-7 (9781848224087)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Marco Iuliano is a Reader in Architecture at the University of Liverpool. He is co-author of Helene Binet, published by Lund Humphries and editor of Lund Humphries' Architectural Photography series. Nicholas Ray is an Emeritus Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge and an Honorary Visiting Professor in Architectural Theory at the University of Liverpool.
Content
Introduction. 25 Abercromby Square by Marco Iuliano. Seven Interviews: Joan Ockman, Kenneth Frampton, Peter Eisenman, George Baird, Larry Wayne Richards, Stanley Allen, and Anthony Vidler. The Competition: Stage 1; Stage 2; Stage 3. Jury's statements. The Studio in Architectural Education by Nicholas Ray. Portfolio by Helene Binet. Index