Building Sounds London Festival of Architecture

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

What if the built environment was designed with inclusion in mind, taking into account diverse access needs?

In this episode of Building Sounds, we speak with some of the individuals who are actively working towards transforming this vision into a reality - Jos Boys, Poppy Levison (DisOrdinary Architecture Project), and Roseanne Scott (Re-Fabricate).

We explore the legacy of Seats at the Table, one of the key built projects from LFA2023 consisting of a series of accessible seating and public realm interventions in the City of London by Re-Fabricate and the DisOrdinary Architecture Project, as well as the brilliant work that has followed the project.

More information on Re-Fabricate can be found on their website, and for the DisOrdinary Architecture Project, you can learn more using this link.

The launch of the mentioned 'Many more Parts than M!' compendium will take place on Tuesday 23rd Manchester at Manchester School of Architecture and on Thursday 8th February in London at the RIBA. Head to the team's websites for more information.

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

Finally, a big shout out to RSBC's Life Without Limits Centre for hosting us for this conversation, to listen to our conversation with the charity and EPR Architects about the centre, you can do so here.

 



Timestamps for this episode:

00:10 - Introductions and quick-fire round

07:05 - Seats at the Table project overview and design process

15:30 - Learnings from the project

20:50 - What's been happening post June

26:30 - 'Many more Parts than M!' compendium

28:59 - Changes needed in the industry and design

31:27 - What is Spoon Theory?

35:00 - The importance of accessible design for all

39:42 - Challenges for LFA2024 organisers

46:30 - One thing that the team would like to 'reimagine'

56:20 - Social media links and closing comments

 

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

Download the transcript

 

If you'd like to listen to our podcast on the RSBC's Life Without Limits Centre, you can do so here.

 

Episode image: Seats at the Table intervention in Postman's Park © Luke O'Donovan

In this episode we explore the chosen theme for the 2024 edition of the London Festival of Architecture (LFA): 'Reimagine'.

Ahead of our 20th anniversary year, we're exploring the transformative power of imagination with Jess Neil, CEO of the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation and one of our LFA2024 Curation Panel members. Together, we explore how we can reimagine the social justice space and empower young voices to shape a better future.

 

The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation exists to inspire a more equitable, inclusive society and to foster opportunities for marginalised young people in the UK. Find out more on the Foundation's website.

To find out more about #LFAat20 or how to get involved in the Festival, head to the LFA website.

 

Have a question for the podcast? Email info@londonfestivalofarchitecture.org

 

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

Download the transcript

 

Episode image: LFA Curation Panel meeting, September 2023 © Angel Jordan