Liverpool Architecture Festival organised by Liverpool Architecture Foundation CIC (LAF CIC) has announced the return of the fourth edition, with the theme FUTURES.
Taking place from 21 May – 21 June 2026 across the Liverpool City Region, it builds on the success of the 2021, 2022, and 2024 NS Festivals that have included over 150 free-to-attend events and engaged with over 5,500 people from across the region and beyond.
#LAF26 promises to build on this success by again collaborating with a diverse group of organisations to develop the festival’s ‘Collective Legacy’.
The Liverpool Architecture Foundation was founded in 2021 as a movement to better connect the people of the Liverpool City Region with their architecture and their built environment, with a bi-annual festival and year-round programme of events.
#LAF26 will present a full calendar of over 50 free-to-attend events across May and June this year, covering a broad range of interests for people of all ages and backgrounds to reflect LAF CIC’s values of Climate, Inclusivity and Community through creativity, collaboration and inclusive civic engagement.
The festival aims to make architecture accessible to everyone by encouraging participation from residents, families, students and underrepresented voices, while highlighting the role design plays in creating sustainable and equitable places to live.
Events will include sandcastle and Lego building competitions, a children’s drawing competition, building tours, socials, symposiums, walking tours, cycle tours, workshops and much more, with events hosted throughout the region’s 6 boroughs.
The full programme and event listings have been announced via the festival website and social channels.
Regional Design Initiative Promotes Inclusive Public Engagement Across Merseyside
The structure of the four-week campaign is designed to break down barriers between professional planners and local communities within the metropolitan borough network.
Organisers have finalised an extensive curriculum that spans symposiums, public talks, panel discussions, interactive workshops, architectural building and walking tours, family-friendly activities, and guided cycle tours.
By spreading the programming across all six local authority areas, the collective legacy project ensures that suburban neighbourhoods outside the city centre remain actively involved in regional development debates.
Organisers Outline Vision for Sustainable Development and Civic Design Interventions
The foundational principles of the month-long showcase emphasise how proactive design choices directly address long-term climate concerns and community representation.
Highlighting this mission, #LAF26 organisers said:
“Liverpool Architecture Festival 2026, FUTURES (#LAF26) invites participants to imagine what comes next for our communities, our built environment and our shared spaces.
“#LAF26 will present a full calendar of over 50 free-to-attend events hosted throughout the Liverpool City Region; including sandcastle and Lego building competitions, a children’s drawing competition, building tours, socials, symposiums, walking tours, workshops and much more.”
The civic design movement continues to progress under the strategic guidance of Mathew Giles (Founder and Co-Director) and Lizzie Edge (Co-Director).
