University of Liverpool Marks Key Milestone in New Architecture Building with Traditional Topping Out Ceremony

David Harding, ULCCO, Prof Ola Uduku , Prof Tim Jones and John Tuomey, O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects

(IN BRIEF) The Liverpool School of Architecture celebrated the milestone of its new extension with a traditional ‘topping out’ ceremony. The £23 million extension, designed by O’Donnell + Tuomey, will offer students enhanced teaching and research facilities, including virtual reality suites and collaborative workspaces. The project aligns with the University’s sustainability goals and will improve existing buildings designed by Professor Charles Reilly. The School, founded in 1894, is ranked 3rd in the UK for Architecture and among the top 100 globally. The extension is expected to open in 2026.

(PRESS RELEASE) LIVERPOOL, 16-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The Liverpool School of Architecture has marked a significant milestone in the development of its new extension with a traditional ‘topping out’ ceremony, a centuries-old ritual celebrating the completion of a building’s highest point. This event, which has its roots in a tradition dating back over 5,000 years, involved placing oil, wine, salt, corn, and a yew branch into a concrete block that will be integrated into the structure. The custom is thought to bring prosperity and good fortune to the building once completed.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Jones reflected on the importance of the ceremony: “This event symbolizes a pivotal moment in the construction process. Reaching the highest point of the structure is a significant achievement, and this ceremony allows us to pause and celebrate as we move towards completion. I’d like to express my gratitude to the design and construction teams, as well as the School of Architecture and the architects, for their unwavering dedication to high-quality design and their vision for advancing this historic institution.”

Prof Fiona Beveridge, Prof Ola Uduku, David Harding, Prof Tim Jones and John Tuomey

The £23 million extension, designed by the renowned Irish architectural firm O’Donnell + Tuomey, is set to open in 2026. The new facilities will provide the School’s students with state-of-the-art teaching and research spaces, including virtual reality and digital design suites, collaborative workspaces, and an exhibition area. These enhancements will play a vital role in fostering innovation and creativity within the academic community.

In line with the University of Liverpool’s commitment to sustainability, the extension will incorporate eco-friendly materials, ensuring the project aligns with modern environmental standards. Additionally, renovations are taking place on the existing School of Architecture buildings, originally designed by Professor Charles Reilly in the 1930s and updated in the 1980s, ensuring the campus remains both functional and historically significant.

Prof Iain Jackson, Patricia Al-Fakhri, founder of the Al-Fakhri prize, Prof Ola Uduku and Prof Tim Jones

This extension represents a new chapter in the history of the Liverpool School of Architecture, which was founded in 1894. The School made history in 1924 when it became the first university in the UK to offer a RIBA-accredited degree in Architecture.

The University of Liverpool is currently ranked 3rd in the UK for Architecture according to the Guardian University Guide 2025 and is placed in the top 100 universities globally for Architecture in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

The construction is being led by the University of Liverpool’s Construction Company.

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E: sarah.stamper@liverpool.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Liverpool