The School of Architecture + Cities are excited to be hosting and have members of the School contributing to a number of online and COVID-secure events as part of this year’s London Festival of Architecture (LFA).
The London Festival of Architecture celebrates London as the global hub for architecture. The festival returns to the capital from 1-30 June 2021 with a lively and diverse programme of public events across London exploring the theme of ‘care’. For 2021, LFA has planned a festival with many COVID-secure events across the city, along with other digital events.
The London Festival of Architecture began in 2004, and has since grown to become the world’s largest annual architecture festival, attracting a vast public audience. A variety of the events taking place during the festival are to be hosted by members of the School of Architecture + Cities.
On 4 June, Professor Harry Charrington will take part in a film Q&A for Aalto, an enchanting documentary film journey into the life and work of one of the greatest modern architects Alvar Aalto. The film shares for the first time the intimate love story of Alvar and his architect wives Aino and Elissa Aalto. Professor Charrington was one of the main narrators and consultants of the documentary.
On 10 June, Dr Yara Sharif and Dr Nasser Golzari will take part in a book launch event for ‘Open Gaza: Architecture of Hope’, which will be hosted by Professor Harry Charrington. The launch event will act as a tribute to the late Michael Sorkin who edited the book. Dr Ro Spankie and Diony Kypraiou will also join colleagues from Imperial College London on 11 June to present ‘Practices of care’, a unique collaboration between 640 students from Westminster and the Medical School at Imperial College London which explores the relationship between design, health and wellbeing.
The Muslim Women in Architecture (MWA) group’s winning concept for the LFA’s Curating Concourses competition ‘As you’re passing by’ will also be exhibited at Euston Station throughout the festival, which reimagines how the Network Rail Design Guidance Series can be exhibited in a more approachable and interactive way. On 15 June, Dr Maja Jovic will join writer and Guide Simon Cole to discuss the changes in Hackney Wick through a socially distanced group walk and conversation, drawing on pre-recorded content and a debate.
17 June marks the launch of OPEN 2021, the School’s online exhibition of projects that reflect the varied design approaches of the School of Architecture + Cities, its diverse students and their place at the heart of London and will feature the works of more than 750 students.
Organised by Dr Kate Jordan and Shahed Saleem, the ‘Thinking, Practicing, Learning’ online symposium on 21 June will focus on the importance of listening to architectural practice and research. It also focuses on the role of universities in developing and promoting the practice of listening and will feature workshops and lightning presentations from students.
From 23-30 June, the ‘Wicked Changes’ exhibition curated by Dr Maja Jović invites a selected group of artists and makers to exhibit their observations and responses to the physical changes in Hackney Wick. It will offer an insight into the way new architectural language and the new stakeholders in decision-making have shifted in the currents of creativity.
The last event from Westminster colleagues on 27 June is the ‘Co-Production Community Hub Workshop’ organised by Maria Kramer. It is an interactive workshop event which aims to bring people from diverse backgrounds together and develop ideas for a community hub. Students and colleagues at Westminster are embarking on a project funded by the Quintin Hogg Trust to design and build this community hub in collaboration with youth community interest company MVP and with the support of Waltham Forest Council. The Hub aims to provide a beacon of community engagement, inspiring young vulnerable people and addressing socioeconomic inequalities.
Find out more information about the events on the London Festival of Architecture website.
