Building Sounds London Festival of Architecture

Now in it's fifth and final edition, the London Festival of Architecture's Pews and Perches design competition has delivered 6 new bespoke public benches scattered around the Royal Docks.

The competition called for architecture and design students, recent graduates and emerging practitioners to deliver bench proposals that explore creative ways to use and reuse materials and take inspiration from the Royal Docks, its proximity to the water and the communities who live there.

To find out more about the project, head to lfa.london/pews.

To explore the whole LFA2024 programme, head to lfa.london.

This episode was produced and edited by Katya Spiers. You can find a transcript of the conversation below.

Download the transcript



Timestamps:

02:06: From Trash to Treasure, UEL

11:10: Now is The Time to Moor Off

17:30: The Flow Bench

27:00: On the Cobbles

33:02: 66C02

38:51: Submarine Cables

Image: Pews and Perches, LFA2024 © Luke O'Donovan

Image description: A collage of 6 benches in-situ in the Royal Docks.

 

We each have a unique relationship to London that depends on where we live, work and play. In this episode, we explore how our relationship to the city - from the chaotic to the classic - is shaped by photography and design, and the importance of collaboration across communities.

Host Eliza is joined by Damla Turgut (Founder, Otto Tiles) and Gareth Gardner (Photographer and Gallerist) to talk all things photography and design, and how the practices both mirror and mould our relationship to the built environment.

Otto Tiles and Gareth Gardner Gallery are collaborating on a series of workshops and exhibitions taking place in June, during the London Festival of Architecture. Head to the LFA website to sign up or find out more.

To explore Damla's work and browse products, you can visit the Otto Tiles website. And for more information on Gareth Gardner's Deptford Gallery and ongoing exhibitions, head to the site now.

 

This episode was edited and produced by Katya Spiers. You can download the transcript here.

Image © Gareth Gardner

 



 

Timestamps for this episode:

0:09 - relationship to design, photography and collaboration

07:08 - evolution of design trends across industries

16:24 - shared perspectives and the importance of dialogues

27:50 - exciting opportunities to get involved

This month, we're joined by Elliott Wood Director Andy Downey and Make Architects Founder Ken Shuttleworth to explore Fitzrovia's unique history as a hub for architects, engineers and designers.

From the iconic BT Tower to the hidden cobbled lanes, join host Eliza Grosvenor to learn about the area's workshop origins, and investigate the unique collaborative atmosphere that's constantly innovating Fitzrovia. Ken and Andy offer insights into their roles in reshaping this area while balancing the urgency of sustainable development and fostering the essence of community that makes Fitzrovia buzz with creativity.

To download the ETHICS Manifesto and find out more about Elliott Wood, head to their website.

To learn about Make Architects and explore current projects, keep up online.

To find out more about #LFAat20 or how to get involved in the Festival, head to the LFA website here. Have a question for the podcast? Email info@londonfestivalofarchitecture.org or call 020 7636 4044.

This episode was edited and produced by Katya Spiers. You can download the transcript here.

Image: Great Titchfield Street Party © LFA and Woods Bagot



Timestamps for this episode:

00:09 - Introductions and quick-fire questions
12:36 - Collaboration and community in Fitzrovia
18:20 - Urban development and design
24:08 - Sustainable urban planning and design

When we talk about public spaces, we often throw around the word 'placemaking' without considering what the term really means.

In this conversation, host Eliza Grosvenor is joined by Ruchi Chakravarty (Urban Designer, Masterplanner, Architect and Placemaker) and Federico Ortiz (Head of Content, NLA) to talk all things placemaking, and unpack the meaning of the word.

To stay up-to-date with Ruchi's projects, you can follow her on LinkedIn.

To keep in the loop with all upcoming NLA events and research, head to the website. You can download the New London Agenda here, and contribute to our Public London research here.

To find out more about #LFAat20 or how to get involved in the Festival, head to the LFA website here. Have a question for the podcast? Email info@londonfestivalofarchitecture.org or call 020 7636 4044.

This episode was edited and produced by Katya Spiers. You can download the transcript here.



Timestamps for this episode:

1:03 Ruchi's relationship with the built environment

2:50 Quick-fire questions

4:20 Unpacking LFA theme 'Reimagine'

5:50 Defining 'placemaking'

11:01 Gillet Square, Dalston

15:30 Meanwhile projects and Harrow Road

18:37 Challenges of placemaking

21:45 Key pillars of placemaking

25:14 The New London Agenda with Federico

27:49 How to use the Agenda and upcoming NLA Research

32:34 Public London

33:57 What does the future of placemaking look like?

37:21 A challenge to LFA organisers

39:53 What would you reimagine?

 

When the Festival was founded in 2004, Peter Murray had no idea of the legacy that the London Festival of Architecture would go on to have. In this episode, Building Sounds host Eliza Grosvenor sits down with two key people from the Festival's history to talk all things impact, 20th-anniversary, and uncover some intriguing stories from the early days.

Eliza is joined by Peter Murray OBE (Co-Founder, NLA and Founder, LFA) and Moira Lascelles (Executive Director and Head of Partnerships, UP Projects) to explore the LFA2024 theme of 'reimagine' and to explore the role that an architecture festival can play in shaping the city. From jelly building to sheep herding, Peter and Moira dive into some of the iconic projects that have shaped the LFA over the past 20 years.

To find out more about #LFAat20 or how to get involved in the Festival, head to the LFA website here. Have a question for the podcast? Email info@londonfestivalofarchitecture.org or call 020 7636 4044.

 



Timestamps for this episode:

01:30 Introductions

02:25 Quick-fire questions

04:45 Thoughts on 'Reimagine'

08:50 The beginnings of the LFA, or 'Clerkenwell Architecture Biennale'

14:55 Millennium Bridge Sheep Drive

16:25 Early days with NLA

19:35 Stand-out projects from the Festival's history

23:30 Importance of supporting emerging designers, students and international practices

25:48 Challenges over the years

28:59 Advice for LFA2024 organisers

30:47 Closing questions

 

This episode was produced and edited by Katya Spiers. You can find a transcript of the conversation using the link below:

Download the transcript here

With shifting priorities post-pandemic and the transition to hybrid working, office occupancy is at an all-time low. What does the future of work look like, and how can we 'reimagine' workspaces that reflect our changing needs and minimise our impact on the planet?

In this episode, we are joined by Gerhild Orthacker (Associate Director, Zaha Hadid Architects) and Uli Blum (Senior Associate, Zaha Hadid Architects) to explore the LFA2024 theme of 'reimagine' and to share with us the way that working patterns are shifting, and what the practice is doing to provide a workspace that meets the needs of their workforce.

The Alis Meeting Pod, mentioned in the conversation, is on display at Zaha Hadid Architects London Gallery until January 2024. More information on the practice, visiting, and Gerhild and Uli's work can be found on the ZHA website here.

To find out more about #LFAat20 or how to get involved in the Festival, head to the LFA website here. Have a question for the podcast? Email info@londonfestivalofarchitecture.org or call 020 7636 4044.

 

Thanks to Zaha Hadid Architects for hosting Building Sounds for this recording.



Timestamps for this episode:

00:00 Introductions

02:04 Quick-fire questions

04:41 Intro to Alis Meeting Pods

07:52 Multi-functional design and adapting for the future

10:04 Working internationally and changes to ways of working post-pandemic

14:22 Lessons learnt and the future of workplace design

17:30 Working with clients and external projects

20:33 The role of AI in the design process

26:28 Final comments and where to find out more

 

This episode was produced and edited by Katya Spiers. You can find a transcript of the conversation using the link below:

Download the transcript here

 

Episode image: Luke Hayes