The Northwest Small Practice Forum invites students at the University of Liverpool School of Architecture to reimagine and reassemble Scale, the first public exhibition by NSPF celebrating the work, ideas and collective ambition of small architectural practices across the North West.
This competition asks students to consider how an exhibition can take on a second life within an architectural school: how it can be curated, adapted, reinterpreted for a new audience in a new space, whilst creating a backdrop for a series of connected talks and events. Rather than simply reinstalling the exhibition, students are invited to think critically and creatively about how the work can be brought into dialogue with the school, its spaces, its students and its wider architectural
community.
The winning proposal, with guidance from the NSPF, will shape how Scale is presented at the University of Liverpool, and the completed exhibition will also feature the winning student team’s own work alongside the NSPF exhibition material.
We are looking for thoughtful, inventive and achievable ideas that respond to the existing exhibition while giving it a fresh identity in its new setting. All exhibition materials will be provided. The winning team will be responsible for leading the reassembly of the exhibition.
Where and When
The second floor ‘Link Space’ in the newly opened extension to the School of Architecture, University of Liverpool
Competition launch: 1st July 2026
Register interest: before 15th July 2026 (see ‘HOW TO ENTER’ below. Details of the exhibition components will be provided upon registration)
Chat with NSPF - questions and extra info (online meeting): 30th July 2026
Submission deadline: 1st September 2026
Announcement of shortlisted submissions: 7th September 2026
Announcement of winning submission and commendations: 14th September 2026
Assembly: 21st October 2026 (To align with careers day run-up)
Opening: 28th October 2026, to coincide with careers day 1 and a series of NSPF x LSA events running alongside Careers Day—programme to be announced shortly
The winning submission and assembly will be shared on the NSPF and LSA’s Instagram account
Submission Must Haves
CAD drawings of the space to be drafted by participating student teams* by 6th August (measurements to be provided to teams) . A Sketch-Up model of the existing exhibition components will be provided by us. *Student teams must include designers and assemblers
Use NSPF-supplied components and materials (provided)
Use NSPF branding and colours
Display at least 1-3 pieces of work from each architecture practice (provided) Every box must be assembled and displayed in the same way with binding and pins
The display/ set up must be designed for the unique qualities of the specific space (‘the site’)
The ‘whole life’ aspect of the exhibition must be considered—how will it be disassembled and what will happen to it next? Also consider estimated time and costs as part of this.
Each team must submit as a minimum (each on an A3 sheet) a plan (including proposal and immediate context), long and short section and SketchUp model perspectives of their proposal alongside a written summary to answer the above points and ’SUBMISSION GUIDANCE’ (further detail on submission location to follow)
Submission Flexibles
Configuration/ layout/ positions of boxes
Location and distribution of images used in the exhibition
Submission Guidance
Consider ‘datum’ points - eye level pieces, hand-height pieces and detail to be displayed and visible at each level. Show people in your drawings
Consider how the set up looks from vantage points and distances in and around the space
Consider how the set up might act as a back drop for events/ talks etc
We’re on hand should you have any further questions!
How To Enter
Submission teams should register their interest by 15th July 2026 by emailing hello@nspf.uk
Include group name, member names, a key contact name and contact details. Good luck!