Celebrating over 120 years of architectural innovation, the Leeds School of Architecture Show 2025, ‘Archival Matter’, invites you to explore a living repository of creative narratives, projects, and methodologies. Drawing inspiration from our humble beginnings in 1903—when the very first lecture on “The Study of Architectural Design” accompanied by a curated collection of glass slides, laid the foundation for a distinctive method of architectural training —we now extend this legacy by meticulously collating our contemporary work.

In an increasingly digital world, the way we create and present architectural work is constantly evolving. While new technologies bring greater precision and efficiency, they also risk diminishing the tactile, material qualities that have long been integral to the design process. ‘Archival Matter’, responds to this shift by establishing a physical collection—one that preserves the richness of analogue methods alongside digital advancements. By embracing a hybrid approach, we seek to retain the depth, texture, and physical engagement of making, ensuring that these ways of working are not lost but continue to inform and inspire future practice.

More than an exhibition, this archive will build as a physical teaching resource; an ever-growing collection preserving the vibrant evolution of architectural thought and practice for future generations.