The brief sounded simple enough: showcase the big three – the park, the architecture, and the apartments – each defined by generous space, natural light, and spectacular views across Liverpool’s historic waterfront for César Pelli’s iconic 326-apartment building, One Park West. The centrepiece of Europe’s largest urban regeneration project. There was just one small problem. The only space available was two storeys underground, inside a derelict sub-basement with no daylight, no views, and very little space.

So, rather than attempt the impossible and build a mock apartment with none of its defining qualities, the concept reimagined the show suite as a kind of immersive exhibition, – a curated journey through the project’s key themes.

The apartment’s components, bathroom, kitchen, and lounge, were turned into freestanding sculptural objects, each sitting apart like city landmarks. In between, a series of spatial moments unfolded, guiding visitors through street-like walkways animated with supergraphics, maps, stories, and textures that told the tale of the development, its setting, and its cultural context.

This wasn’t a walk-through apartment, it was a descent into the imagination. Something unexpected, smart, and a little bit theatrical. And in the end, it proved that even the most sun-starved basement can still shine with the right idea.