PROGRAMME
SCALE: EXHIBITION
19 Sep - 15 Oct 2025 / Mon - Fri / 9am - 5pm
SEESAW, 86 Princess St, Manchester
Free Entry
The Northwest Small Practice Forum (NSPF) is a collective of like-minded architectural practices in the Northwest who are working together to positively change the culture of the profession and the spaces and places we create.
Their aim is to enhance the perception of small practices across the region and challenge the orthodoxy that bigger means better.
Advocating for the benefits of good design and the quality of work that their members produce, they promote a culture that encourages shared knowledge and mutual trust. Firmly believing that they are stronger together and have an important role to play in shaping the future of the built environment within the Northwest.
This exhibition showcases the breadth of experience and talent of the collective.
The exhibition is open to the public weekdays, 9am - 5pm.
Entry is free.
Photos by Camila Alvarado
TAKING THE ROOF OFF
(STRETFORD MALL)
An exploration into what happens when small and large practices work together, using the recently launched first phase of Stretford Centre masterplan as a case study.
23 Sep 2025 / 6pm - 8pm
SEESAW, 86 Princess St, Manchester
Join us for the first in our series: Scale Talks hosted by the NSPF.
We will be exploring what happens when small architectural studios (MUTT) and large practices (Fielden Clegg Bradley Studios) work together, using the soon to be opened first phase of the Stretford Mall redevelopment as a case study.
This model of working has been championed extensively by the Greater London Authority, and is baked into their planning policy for all new major projects. However, up north, collaboration, particularly the integration of SME practices, is a seldom-seen phenomenon. We will explore why the benefits of this model of working and how it has bolstered what is set to be highly successful redevelopment in Manchester. Should this be something we are asking of our combined authorities?
SPEAKERS
Ernst ter Horst (MCAU, formerly FCBS)
Graham Burn (Studio MUTT)
TICKETS
Available from Eventbrite
General Admission: £15
Members: £5
Drink included.
TIMINGS
Talk 6pm-7pm
Interlude
Q&A 7.30-8pm
Stick around til 10pm.
RIGHT: ERNST TER HORST
BREAKING THROUGH THE FRAMEWORK
Public construction frameworks to exciting projects but for many smaller design practices, they can often deel unachievable. This panel will explore how framework procurement processes are structure and managed, and what they implement to create a more level playing field.
01 Oct 2025 / 12.30pm - 2pm
SEESAW, 86 Princess St, Manchester
Lunch provided.
Join us for this panel discussion with Sean Stafford (Saffer Cooper) and Sara Lawton (RISE Construction Framework) hosted by Ashley Taylor-Watts (Define Architects). We will be talking about how framework bids are assessed, how best to impress and how they try to achieve fairness through their tenderring processes.
SPEAKERS
Sean Stafford (Saffer Cooper)
Sarah Lawton (RISE Construction Framework)
TICKETS
Available from Eventbrite
General Admission: £15
Members: £5
Food & drink included.
TIMINGS
12.30 - 2pm
SCALE FACTOR
Understanding the challenge of making good things happen: A frank and open conversation about the realities of development with guests: Duncan Blackmore, Lee Ivett and Ann-Marie Fowler.
07 Oct 2025 / 6pm - 8pm
SEESAW, 86 Princess St, Manchester
We are honoured to be hosting the award-winning developer Duncan Blackmore, the newly appointed Head of London School of Architecture, Lee Ivett, and finance guru Ann-Marie Fowler to talk to use about the trials and tribulations of development in 2025.
BIOS
Duncan Blackmore is a founding director of Arrant Land, a design-led independent development company focused on the planning and delivery of high-quality buildings on complex and contested urban sites. His projects have won numerous awards including the Manser Medal and RIBA London Best Small Project. Duncan also undertakes small experimental urban project as Arrant Industries and is a co-founder of Neighbourhood, a company of development strategists with a wide range of experience defining development briefs, leading design teams, and balancing creative conviction with economic, environmental and social ambition at all scales.
Lee Ivett is an architect, academic and educator. He is Head of the London School of Architecture and founder of participatory architecture, art and design studio Baxendale and live action research studio Other People’s Dreams. OPD engages in a critical, situated and durational way with community organisations in the northwest of England that explore modes of participation with marginalised groups, situations and ideas to rethink the potential of people and place. We explore that which is often 'unseen' within architectural practice and education; everyday life as experienced by everyday people. Lee’s practice-based research focusses on the organic and generative, developing low-budget socially-led projects within communities across the UK, which evolve from the tactical to the permanent.
Ann-Marie Fowler is a mortgage broker with over 15 years’ experience, moving into commercial finance four years ago. Now with Finanze Capital, she brings insight into sustainable funding, retrofit, and the future of property finance. A lifelong enthusiast for both architecture and people, she thrives on solving complex challenges and guiding clients to secure financial futures. With an unconventional background in illustration, music and sport, she blends creativity with expertise, offering a unique perspective to the panel.
TICKETS
Available from Eventbrite
General Admission: £10
Members: £5
Drink included.
TIMINGS
Talk 6pm-7pm
Interlude
Q&A 7.30-8pm
Stick around til 10pm.
URBAN SCALE
A discussion about radical regeneration and the role of SME practice with Matthew Brown (Leader, Preston Council), and Suzi Winstanley (Director, Turner Works)
14 Oct 2025 / 6pm - 8pm
SEESAW, 86 Princess St, Manchester
This event explores the “Preston Model” of community wealth building—a radical approach to regeneration that invests in local infrastructure and keeps value within the community, rather than extracting wealth to capital investors. Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council and a fellow of the Democracy Collaborative, will share insights from Preston’s pioneering work, rooted in the Cleveland Model.
He is joined by Suzi Winstanley, director of Turner Works, who will discuss how SME architectural practices can adapt their ways of working to better support the challenges and opportunities facing northern cities and local authorities.
TICKETS
Available from Eventbrite
General Admission: £10
Members: £5
Drink included.
TIMINGS
Talk followed by Q&A / panel discussion: 6pm-8pm
Stick around til 10pm.
SCALE
Brought to you by theNorthwest Small Practice Forum
In partnership with Construction Q
SEESAW
86 Princess St
Manchester M1 6NG
CONTACT
hello@nspf.uk