London Festival of Architecture 2018 Call for Entries, Design Events, LFA Architectural Festival

London Festival of Architecture 2018

LFA News, England, UK – British Capital Architectural Events + Design Contest Shortlist

London Festival of Architecture 2019 News

28 + 27 June 2018
LFA London Bridge Public Realm Competition Shortlist

The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) and Team London Bridge have revealed the teams and designs shortlisted in a design competition to improve wayfinding and the public realm outside London Bridge station:

London Bridge Public Realm Competition Shortlist News

7 June 2018

London Festival of Architecture 2018 Thessaly Road Railway Bridge Competition

Thessaly Road Railway Bridge shortlisted designs revealed

The six designs shortlisted for the London Festival of Architecture (LFA) and Wandsworth Council competition to improve the appearance and feel of Thessaly Road Railway Bridge have gone on show this week, as part of the festival’s programme of events this June.

Local residents, businesses and schools are now invited to a public exhibition, to give their feedback on the shortlisted designs. Subject to planning consent, the winning proposal will be developed and installed as part of the London Festival of Architecture in 2019.

The six final proposals are the result of a design competition launched earlier this year to improve the user experience for existing communities, pedestrians and cyclists on this key route between Battersea Park Road and Wandsworth Road. Open to architects, designers, artists and students, the designs strive to brighten the underpass and create an attractive space, in line with local residents’ aspirations for their public realm.

Thessaly Road Railway Bridge Designs

The designs of the six shortlisted teams are:

ArchitectureDoingPlace, West Port & Co, WriteTalkListen & Mary Evans

architecturedoingplace.com, www.westportandco.com, www.writetalklisten.com / @WriteTalkListen

De Rosee Sa & Anu Pillai

www.deroseesa.com & www.anupillai.co.uk / @deroseesa & @freeformfive

Farrer Huxley Associates

www.fha.co.uk / @FarrerHuxley

Jan Kattein Architects

www.jankattein.com

Mesh Workshop, Bigg Design & Matthew McGuinness

www.meshworkshop.co.uk, www.biggdesign.co.uk & www.matthewmcguinness.com / @SW8ThessalyRd & @BiggDesign

Yinka Ilori

yinkailori.com / @YinkaIlori_

Each of the shortlisted teams developed their final designs having undertaken in depth work and research within the local area, with the winning proposal selected following consideration of the outcomes of the public exhibition and consultation with local communities. This will be judged by an expert panel, including Pam Alexander (chair, Covent Garden Market Authority), Amy Frearson (editorial director, Dezeen), Morag Myerscough (founder, Studio Myerscough), Clare Richards (founder, Footwork) and Tamsie Thomson (director, London Festival of Architecture).

The public exhibition showcasing the six shortlisted designs is running at the ROSE Community Centre on Ascalon Street, St George’s Church on Patmore Street, and on the railings of St George’s Primary School. More information on the exhibition and consultation can be found at www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org.

The Thessaly Road Railway Bridge competition offers an excellent example of how architecture and design can be harnessed to make a huge difference to the lives of thousands of people. We’re very pleased that local residents will now have the opportunity to have their say on the shortlisted designs, and be part of the process that will turn a neglected corner of the city into a much more attractive environment for local communities, and a vibrant showcase of London’s creative talent.

Councillor Steffi Sutters, Wandsworth Council cabinet member for community services and open spaces, said:

“The Thessaly Road underpass, which is right next to St George’s Primary School, has long been overdue a make-over and I am delighted to see these vibrant designs, any one of which will make a real difference to the journeys of everyone who passes through. It is great to be working with the London Festival of Architecture on this project and getting the community directly involved in helping to choose a really creative design that will transform this community gateway. We are looking forward to hearing what local residents and people who use the underpass think of the six shortlisted proposals.”

15 May 2018

London Festival of Architecture 2018 Float Design Competition

London Festival of Architecture and Architecture LGBT+ launch competition for Pride in London float

The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) and Architecture LGBT+ have announced a design competition for a float to represent architecture and LGBT+ architects at Pride in London 2018.

The design competition is aimed at architecture students, recent graduates, emerging practices as well as representatives from more established practices across London to submit a design proposal for a float to represent LGBT+ architects and their contribution to architecture past and present. The winning design team will be commissioned to design and deliver the float for the Pride in London Parade on 7 July 2018. There is an estimated £8,000 budget for design and delivery.

The competition will be judged by a panel of judges including:

Jayne Bird (partner, Nicholas Hare Architects)
Anne Consentino (equality, diversity and inclusion manager, RIBA)
Evan Davis (broadcaster and presenter)
Tom Guy (director, Guy Piper Architects and founder, Architecture LGBT+)
Danni Kerr (architect and RIBA diversity role model)
Vinesh Pomal (architect, Tate Hindle Architects)
Tamsie Thomson (director, London Festival of Architecture)
Rob Wilson (architecture editor, Architects’ Journal)

The competition is an important element in the London Festival of Architecture 2018 programme as the festival explores ‘identity’. The London Festival of Architecture is committed to promoting equality and diversity in the architecture and wider built environment professions, and in 2016 supported the launch of Architecture LGBT+ with a Pride Breakfast at the RIBA – one of that year’s festival highlights. More recently, the LFA’s “See the Elephant” campaign was highly visible at MIPIM 2018, and has empowered individuals and organisations to stand up to discriminatory behaviour in the built environment professions.

The deadline for submissions was 6 June 2018 at midday. Further information for entrants is available at www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org

Tamsie Thomson, director of the London Festival of Architecture, said:
“Pride in London is a highlight of the capital’s calendar, and a fabulous day promoting equality and celebrating diversity in London. LGBT+ architects make a huge contribution to their profession and architecture in London and around the world, and I’m delighted that this competition will showcase them as we celebrate ‘identity’ in 2018.”

Tom Guy (director, Guy Piper Architects and founder, Architecture LGBT+) said:
“At Architecture LGBT+ we’re delighted to be part of Pride in London alongside the London Festival of Architecture. We can’t wait to see the designs for our first ever parade float, and are looking forward to sharing our Pride with LGBT+ architects on 7 July as we celebrate them and their contribution to London.”

10 May 2018
London Festival of Architecture and Team London Bridge announce London Bridge public realm competition

The London Festival of Architecture and Team London Bridge have announced a design competition to improve a pedestrian triangle outside London Bridge station. As London Bridge becomes one of the focus areas for this year’s London Festival of Architecture, the competition will create a lasting legacy for the area: improving the appearance of the streetscape and assisting wayfinding in front of the station, which has recently undergone a £1bn redevelopment.

London Bridge Public Realm Competition

4 May 2018

London Festival of Architecture Programme

London Festival of Architecture 2018 programme launch

The London Festival of Architecture 2018 programme is launched today, with an eclectic and diverse series of 400 events exploring this year’s ‘identity’ theme across London from 1-30 June.

The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) is Europe’s largest annual architecture event, and celebrates London as a global hub of architectural experimentation, practice and debate. The programme is delivered by architecture and design practices and practitioners, cultural and academic institutions, artists and many others. The festival appeals to a huge public audience: in 2017 an estimated 400,000 people attended festival events, most of which were free.

The programme is designed to offer events that can appeal to anyone: exhibitions and installations, talks and debates, walks and tours, family events, film screenings and a wide range of special events.

Sadiq Khan, London Mayor:

image courtesy of LFA

Highlights of the London Festival of Architecture 2018 include:

LFA Symposium – a day-long conference at the Royal Academy posing the question does identity matter? The event explores the impact of architecture on the identity of a city, exploring identity in the context of individual and collective expression, place-making and architectural practice.

Architecture of the Internet – a walking tour led by Dezeen deputy editor Tom Ravenscroft of the buildings that house much of our own identities: data centres. These are often tucked away in plain sight within our cities, and Tom will explain the key characteristics and importance of some of the 58 data centres that are located in London alone.

City Benches – the result of a design competition organised by the London Festival of Architecture and the City of London Corporation, a series of one-off new public benches across the City of London showcase London’s brilliant emerging architecture and design talent. Ten benches – five in Cheapside and five in the City’s Eastern Cluster – will help the City remain an exceptional place to live, work and visit.

The Treehouse at Battersea Power Station – Studio Kyson’s Treehouse shows a new reflection of the city, offering an abstract take on a traditional concept and using a material palette of charred timber and smoked mirrors.

Amanda Levete lecture – the New London Architecture annual lecture – this year by Amanda Levete – is always a headline event of the LFA calendar. Amanda Levete is a RIBA Stirling Prize winning architect and a recent recipient of the prestigious Jane Drew Prize, recognising her talent as a leader in international design.

The WATG Great Architectural Bake Off – the perennial LFA favourite returns for 2018 – this year in a new location at Guildhall Yard in the heart of the City of London. Leading architecture practices show off their skill through the medium of cake, before a panel of judges including Great British Bake Off 2017 contestant and architect Tom Hetherington.

Émigré architects – a short film by Stirling Prize-winning practice dRMM about the influence of the émigré architect in London. As research commissioned by the LFA and Greater London Authority showed earlier this year, London’s architecture sector thrives thanks to a global workforce, and this film – screened at The Scoop in the London Bridge focus area – features ten interviews with dRMM architects and designers from ten nations.

A citizen of nowhere or everywhere? – Join Sir John Soane’s Museum for this family event – an exciting exploration of how we form our own identity through the world famous collection of Sir John Soane, one of London’s foremost architects.

Dulwich Pavilion: the shortlist – an exhibition of the shortlisted designs for a new Dulwich Pavilion at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. The result of a design competition organized in partnership with the London Festival of Architecture, the exhibition offers a brilliant showcase of emerging architectural talent, ahead of the construction of the new pavilion for the London Festival of Architecture in 2019.

The Bird Hide – in response to a four month residency with Bow Arts at RAW Labs, contemporary artist Sara Heywood presents a temporary site-specific installation inspired by the identity of the Royal Albert Docks, its local wildlife, and close proximity to London City Airport.

LFA Open Studios – Architects throw open their studio doors to the public for a wide range of events from talks and exhibitions to practical workshops or activities for children. Open Studios takes place across London every Friday throughout June, with five ‘hubs’: Clerkenwell (1 June), Fitzrovia (8 June), Cambridge Heath (15 June), Shepherd’s Bush (22 June) and Kentish Town (29 June).

Tamsie Thomson (Director, London Festival of Architecture) said:

“It’s no surprise that London – a city of multiple individual and collective identities – should inspire the most diverse and interesting London Festival of Architecture programme yet. We cannot wait to share this year’s brilliant programme with the public, and to spend a month immersed alongside the city’s amazing architecture and design talent, as we celebrate London and showcase the architecture that helps to make it the greatest city on earth.”

Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills Jules Pipe said:

“We are proud once again to partner with the London Festival of Architecture. This year’s programme shines a light on London’s superb design and architectural talent, celebrating the capital’s social diversity, vibrant culture and growth.”

24 Apr 2018

London Festival of Architecture Dulwich Pavilion Shortlist

Shortlisted teams announced for London Festival of Architecture’s second Dulwich Pavilion competition

Six shortlisted architectural practices and teams announced to develop proposals for the second Dulwich Pavilion.

Dulwich Pavilion 2019

www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org
@LFArchitecture
#LFA2018

www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
@DulwichGallery

Previously on e-architect:

23 Mar 2018

London Festival of Architecture 2018 City Benches Competition

London Festival of Architecture and City of London Corporation announce City Benches design competition

The London Festival of Architecture and the City of London Corporation have announced a design competition for a series of one-off public benches, to be installed in the City in June 2018 as London’s financial district becomes a focus area for this year’s London Festival of Architecture.

Architecture and design students, recent graduates and emerging practices from across London are invited to submit a bench design to enliven the public realm of the City’s Eastern Cluster and Bank area. As many new developments including several new towers emerge in the district, the benches will accommodate the increasing numbers of people using its streets and spaces, and enhance the urban environment.

Entries will be judged by an expert panel comprising:

Pooja Agrawal (senior project officer, Greater London Authority)
Katy Ghahremani (partner, Make Architects)
Simon Glynn (assistant director, City Public Realm)
Ellie Stathaki (architecture editor, Wallpaper*)
Tamsie Thomson (director, London Festival of Architecture)

Entrants are invited to submit their proposal by midday on Thursday 19 April 2018. The call for entries document containing detailed submission and entry criteria is available at www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org

City Benches aims to showcase and give exposure to emerging architecture and design talent in London.
For George King, designer of Zombie Bench (pictured above) and winner of an earlier London Festival of Architecture competition in 2012, the opportunity was a breakthrough moment for him as an architect. He explains:

“Zombie Bench was my first competition win and was the perfect opportunity to design something on a scale that was fun and experimental, yet buildable and functional. It allowed me to think about the qualities I am interested in as an architect and distil them into a small object which still provokes debate to this day.”

Tamsie Thomson, director of the London Festival of Architecture said:

“City Benches is a fantastic project that will not only enhance one of the City’s most architecturally exciting districts, but will help the London Festival of Architecture showcase the capital’s brilliant emerging architecture and design talent. We’re very grateful to the City of London Corporation for sharing that vision with us, and for giving emerging talent such a prominent and public springboard.”

Chris Hayward, City of London Corporation Planning and Transportation Committee Chairman, said:

“The City has evolved for nearly two thousand years so upgrading our public realm offer is an ongoing priority.

“The City is growing rapidly with 1.37 million square metres of office space under construction, which has the potential to accommodate 85,000 workers. The Bank area is one of London’s most iconic junctions and 60% of the City’s growth expected to be delivered in the eastern cluster.

“Projects such as the City Benches competition will provide young talent with the opportunity to be a part of that evolution and helping the City remain an exceptional place to live, work and visit.”

23 Feb 2018

London Festival of Architecture 2018 Dulwich Pavilion News

London Festival of Architecture and Dulwich Pavilion announce the return of the Dulwich Pavilion

The London Festival of Architecture and Dulwich Picture Gallery are on the lookout for emerging architects to create the second ‘Dulwich Pavilion’ – a temporary outdoor visitor welcome space within the historic grounds of Dulwich Picture Gallery to be opened in summer 2019 following a public exhibition of the shortlisted designs during the London Festival of Architecture this June.

The project builds on the success of the first ever Dulwich Pavilion – After Image by Bermondsey-based practice IF_DO – which was one of the triumphs of the London Festival of Architecture in 2017 and the Gallery’s bicentenary year. As well as helping the Gallery to overcome constraints for learning activities, attract new audiences and broaden its appeal to a wider demographic, the pavilion achieved critical acclaim and won multiple awards. The project was transformational for the Gallery as well as IF_DO: their first competition win resulted in global exposure, leading to a series of exciting new commissions that have enabled the practice to triple in size.

photo courtesy of LFA

The London Festival of Architecture and Dulwich Picture Gallery now invite emerging architects to submit a portfolio based expression of interest to design the second ‘Dulwich Pavilion’. The primary objective of the 2019 structure will be to offer visitors a refreshing welcome and orientation space to set the tone for their visit. The Gallery’s original building by Sir John Soane is recognised as an architectural masterpiece, and the competition organisers are looking for responses that reflect Soane’s innovative, high quality and problem-solving approach.

Following shortlisting by a panel of industry experts and cultural figures, models by six shortlisted practices will be on public display at the Dulwich Picture Gallery from June-July 2018 as part of this year’s London Festival of Architecture, with the opportunity for visitors to enter a public vote for their preferred design.

The Dulwich Pavilion judging panel comprises leading architectural and cultural figures as follows:

Mary Duggan: Director, Mary Duggan Architects
Tom Dyckhoff: writer and historian
Al Scott: Director, IF_DO
Jennifer Scott: The Sackler Director, Dulwich Picture Gallery
Tamsie Thomson: Director, London Festival of Architecture
Stefan Turnball: Trustee, Dulwich Picture Gallery
Oliver Wainwright: architecture and design critic, The Guardian

The winning design, selected by the panel and public vote combined, will be constructed at the Dulwich Picture Gallery to open for the London Festival of Architecture in June 2019.

The deadline for first stage expressions of interest is 5.00pm on Monday 9 April 2018. Further information on entry requirements and eligibility criteria is available at www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org and www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

Tamsie Thomson, Director of the London Festival of Architecture, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with the Dulwich Picture Gallery again, and looking forward to the installation of the second Dulwich Pavilion. The project is a fantastic opportunity for emerging architects and, as the first Dulwich Pavilion demonstrated, is not only a springboard to success but also a wonderful way to engage the wider public in London’s dazzling architectural scene.”

Jennifer Scott, The Sackler Director of The Dulwich Picture Gallery, said:

“The 2017 Pavilion was an extraordinary project which highlighted the potential of contemporary architecture and creative programming to engage visitors and enhance the Dulwich Picture Gallery experience. With the 2019 Pavilion competition we are throwing down the gauntlet to emerging architects to address how a temporary structure can offer inspiring solutions to practical visitor needs while entering into conversation with the historical excellence of Soane’s ground-breaking original design. I am excited to see what will emerge.”

Al Scott, Director at IF_DO, said:

“As a young and emerging architecture practice, the Dulwich Pavilion project gave us the opportunity to design a new public structure for notable clients, in an exceptional location. The trust placed in us by the Dulwich Picture Gallery, with the support of Tamsie Thomson at the LFA, gave us the freedom and confidence to deliver the building as we conceived it, which was a truly amazing and experience. It was enjoyable to watch the pavilion in use over the summer, and the memory of the experience will stick with us as a turning point for IF_DO.”

Dulwich Picture Gallery is the world’s first purpose built public gallery housing a collection of Old Master paintings alongside an internationally renowned exhibition programme. Entering Sir John Soane’s building visitors discover a surprisingly intimate gallery space that encourages contemplation and the discovery of personal connections with historic works of art. The Gallery is a registered charity with income from ticket sales accounting for 22% of the Gallery’s annual running costs and the remainder raised through a mix of fundraising, retail and private hire activity. The Dulwich Pavilion series is a transformative project for the Gallery, allowing it to test solutions to overcome a lack of existing space and introduce a wider audience to its collection and programme.

@DulwichGallery

31 Jan 2018

London Festival of Architecture 2018 News

London Festival of Architecture reveals four focus areas for 2018

The London Festival of Architecture has revealed four focus areas for 2018: a series of very different parts of the capital that will form the focus of a wide range of public activities when the London Festival of Architecture returns on 1-30 June.

Joining the London Festival of Architecture for the first time as focus areas, we are proud to present the City of London and London Bridge as key partners for the festival in 2018. In a year where we explore ‘identity’, the City of London will have much to offer as the oldest part of London and a district that has seen permanent architectural flux for two millennia. Just across the Thames, the presence of the City formed and shaped the London Bridge area and the festival this year will celebrate the neighbourhood’s changing roles, physical transformation and cultural renaissance.

Once again the LFA is delighted to be developing a series of events and other initiatives with partners in the Royal Docks and Battersea Nine Elms. Both are areas experiencing fundamental change, and will once again form backdrops to events that encourage Londoners and visitors to the city to look at them through fresh eyes, and learn about how entirely new quarters of the city are taking shape. Many of the LFA2018 highlights – such as the Silvertown Choir commission or Jim Eyre’s exclusive Battersea Power Station tours – will be hard acts to follow, but we’re confident that our partners in the Royal Docks and Battersea Nine Elms will be up to the challenge.

Nadia Broccardo, Team London Bridge Chief Executive tells us:

“From relative backwater to global commercial district and thriving creative community, London Bridge has changed beyond recognition over the past 20 years. Becoming a hub for the London Festival of Architecture 2018 provides the perfect opportunity for the city to reflect on the identity of this important, historic area and celebrate the capital’s ability to interpret local character and contexts.”
Carolyn Dwyer, Director of the Built Environment at the Corporation of the City of London said:

“The City is a dynamic, diverse and vibrant place for both business and culture. The Square Mile is rapidly changing but it continues to be a world-leading destination for businesses, residents and visitors, maintaining its position as a global financial and business centre. The City of London is also a leading cultural destination and we are working hard to create a sense of place throughout the whole of the City and continue to strive to enhance our cultural offer. We very much look forward to hosting the London Festival of Architecture 2018 and to welcoming even more visitors to the Square Mile and to Culture Mile, the City’s creative exchange, at the heart of the City.”

The Great Architectural Bake Off is back!

WATG has issued a call for entries to participate in their 2018 ‘Great Architectural Bake Off’, in collaboration with the London Festival of Architecture. Entries are welcome from any architecture and design firms based in London.

WATG’s global Great Architectural Bake-Off returns to London this summer for the fourth year in a row, following three hugely successful years in London, New York, and Singapore. Participants are tasked with recreating an iconic building, entirely out of cake, swapping their normal material palette of concrete, steel, and glass, with a sweeter medium. The competition is construction based, teams may use any materials to build, providing of course, that they are edible.

The event attracts the most prestigious architecture and design firms, last year’s teams impressed with a selection of stunning structures, ranging from a gingerbread reconstruction of the bullring at Arenas de Barcelona to an impressive cake version of St Paul’s Cathedral. Judged by a panel of industry experts, the creations will need to stand tall among the skyline of cakes. Those able to create a masterpiece embodying this year’s theme of ‘identity’ may be able to sweeten the judge’s favour and bag some extra points.

Potential entrants should email Ashley Fauguel at WATG at [email protected] by 28 February 2018.

LFA 2018 call for entries: one month to go!

It’s now just under a month before the London Festival of Architecture 2018 call for entries deadline. Anyone with an interest in London’s built environment is encouraged to respond to this year’s ‘identity’ theme, and to help us produce another amazing festival which will run from 1-30 June 2018.

Visit the LFA website here to begin organising your London Festival of Architecture 2018 event.

21 Nov 2017

London Festival of Architecture 2018 Call for Entries

London Festival of Architecture 2018 call for entries opens

21st November 2017 – The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) has issued the call for entries for the 2018 Festival, which will explore ‘identity’ through a diverse programme of public events from 1-30 June 2018. The call for entries will remain open until 28 February 2018.

Proposals are invited from anyone with an interest in London and its built environment – whether they be architects, artists, designers, developers or members of the public – for events and activities that can interpret the ‘identity’ theme in different and compelling ways. The 2017 festival saw a huge range of events – from walking tours and open studios to a choral performance in a disused Docklands warehouse and the phenomenally successful Dulwich Pavilion. The festival organisers are confident that ‘identity’ is a theme that will similarly capture organisers’ imaginations and produce a fascinating month-long celebration of architecture in June 2018.

The London Festival of Architecture is also announcing the creation of the LFA Curatorial Panel, which will select proposals to form the core programme for the 2018 festival. Core events will be those that address the ‘identity’ theme in particularly interesting, challenging or ambitious ways, and will be provided with enhanced organisational and promotional support from the LFA programming and communications teams. Other events which are less closely aligned to the theme but are intriguing nevertheless will be invited to form part of the LFA’s fringe programme.

The LFA Curatorial Panel comprises:

Sam Bompas (founder, Bompas and Parr)
Tom Copley AM (member, Greater London Assembly)
Pedro Gil (founder, Studio Gil)
Steven Harding (director, Goodfellow Communications)
Laura Mark (architecture projects manager, Royal Academy of Arts)
Olaide Oboh (head of communications and external relations, First Base)
Tamsie Thomson (director, London Festival of Architecture)
Gwen Webber (programme manager for architecture, British Council)

Supporting the London Festival of Architecture call for entries, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said:

“I’m proud to support the London Festival of Architecture. The festival does magnificent work championing our city’s architecture sector, and encouraging Londoners to look at their city in new and interesting ways. As a home to people from across the globe, London is renowned for its openness and for being a beacon of progress and inclusion, which is why I’m delighted that ‘identity’ is this year’s theme.

“As Mayor, I know how important good design is to the success of our city, and I want to play my part. It’s why I’ve created the ‘Good Growth by Design’ programme to help deliver a high-quality built environment for London and ensure our city’s growth is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.

“I’m confident that 2018 will be a year when we can once again showcase the incredible architectural and design talent in our city – and I hope many of you will get involved with the festival.”

Further information and application forms for potential London Festival of Architecture 2018 participants is available at www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org. The call for entries will remain open until 28 February 2018.

6 Nov 2017

London Festival of Architecture 2018 Competition Shortlist

Shortlist announced for London Festival of Architecture ‘Modern Maypole’ competition

Monday 6 November 2017 – A red steel giant striding through London, a tower built by London school children, and a visual metaphor for London’s diversity are among the shortlisted entries revealed today for the London Festival of Architecture’s ‘Modern Maypole’ competition. The competition, organised by the festival in partnership with The Northbank BID, looks to create a contemporary maypole as a focus for public events and activity on The Strand during the London Festival of Architecture when it returns to the capital on 1-30 June 2018.

The six shortlisted practices and projects for the Modern Maypole competition are:

Modern Maypole by Scale Rule

A maypole assembled of many individual components – wooden discs stacked to form a ringed patchwork tower, each decorated by a London primary school, and added to the maypole by the students themselves.
www.scalerule.org
@scale_rule

Colourful Language by Thomas Randall Page with Benedetta Rogers and Cake Industries

This maypole celebrates London’s diversity with dozens of differently coloured ribbons, each representing a language spoken in the city, connecting a map of London suspended overhead and joining together at the tip of the maypole.
www.thomasrandallpage
www.cakeindustries.co.uk
@BenedettaRogers
@cakeind

The Dreamcatcher by Spheron Architects

Colourful ribbons from a traditional-style maypole fall over a latticed structure at the base: a dreamcatcher net suspended over a seating area within the ribbons, with views upwards through the net and ribbons.
www.spheronarchitects.co.uk
@SpheronArch

Maypole by Interrobang

A slender spire supporting a colourful suspended net, which can be illuminated at night. A seating area beneath contains a pattern of “ribbons” radiating from the base of the maypole.
@InterrobangLon

Walking Tall – The Londoner by Hardman Structural Engineers and Studio Verve

A bright red steel giant, striding along The Strand. Almost as high as the neighbouring spire of St Mary-le-Strand, the figure will be seen above the skyline when viewed from a distance.
www.hardmanengineers.com
www.studioverve.co.uk
@StudioVerve

Maypole by ScottWhitbystudio and Whitby Wood

A tall tensegrity structure, forming a lightweight pylon that rises above the neighbouring rooftops, constructed of slender rods held together with thin cables, with a framework shape that is reminiscent of the neighbouring church spire.
www.scottwhitby.com
www.whitbywood.com
@AlexScottWhitby

The Modern Maypole competition looks back to London’s built tradition, and aims to create a temporary landmark for the 2018 London Festival of Architecture that can act as a focal point for visitors and passers-by. In keeping with the London Festival of Architecture 2018 ‘identity’ theme, the project will also explore contemporary expressions of communal identity and shared experience. The maypole will stand outside the church of St Mary-le-Strand: the site of London’s largest maypole which was constructed after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 and towered over the 17^th century city. In 2018 the Modern Maypole will stand in a transformed cityscape, a reminder of how radically London’s skyline, character and identity have changed over the centuries.

The Modern Maypole competition was open to architects, artists, designers and engineers, and has been judged by a panel comprising:

Julia Barfield (managing director, Marks Barfield Architects)
Carole Boyd (actor, The Archers)
Megan Dixon (marketing and communications, The Northbank BID)
Andy Downey (director, Elliott Wood Partnership)
John Goodall (heritage expert and architecture editor, Country Life)
Jonathan Morrison (architecture correspondent, The Times)
Jonathan Reekie (director, Somerset House Trust)
Tamsie Thomson (director, London Festival of Architecture)

The winner of the Modern Maypole competition will be announced in early December.

Tamsie Thomson, director of the London Festival of Architecture said:

“Just as the London Festival of Architecture encourages people to look at London in different ways, the shortlisted Modern Maypole practices have brought fresh eyes and approaches to a very traditional object. The quality and variety of the entries has been a real showcase for London’s architectural talent, and we’re very excited about choosing a winner to be installed in June when the maypole on The Strand rises once again.”

Ruth Duston, chief executive of The Northbank BID said:

“The community around the Northbank is a diverse one, yet very strong together in its shared identity of ingenuity and creativity. We’re delighted with the proposals, all of which will enliven the space on Strand-Aldwych that acts as a stepping stone between international centres of innovation. With more permanent plans to transform this area’s public realm, this is the first step and will help businesses and visitors alike to engage with the space in a new and fun way.”

About the London Festival of Architecture

The London Festival of Architecture was founded in 2004, and is now firmly established as Europe’s biggest annual architecture festival. In 2017 there were over 600 public events across London – the vast majority of which were free and attracted over 400,000 visitors.

The London Festival of Architecture celebrates London as a global hub of architectural experimentation, practice and debate. Taking place from 1-30 June each year, the festival provokes questions about the contemporary and future life of the city, and promotes positive change to its public realm. The city-wide programme is delivered by a core programming team alongside architecture and design practices and practitioners, leading cultural and academic institutions, artists and many others.

The theme of the 2018 London Festival of Architecture has been announced as ‘identity’.

www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org
@LFArchitecture
#LFA2018

About The Northbank BID

The Northbank takes in an area of international cultural significance. From Trafalgar Square, along the Strand, to Aldwych, there is a diverse mix of entertainment, hospitality, academic institutions and corporate organisations. Famous landmarks are linked by the parade route of the Strand, an award-winning park and the river, with hidden gems dotted around, making this one of London’s most exciting destinations.
www.thenorthbank.london
@thenorthbankbid

16 Oct 2017

London Festival of Architecture 2018 Theme

Theme for London Festival of Architecture in 2018

‘Identity’ revealed as London Festival of Architecture 2018 theme

Monday 16 October 2017 – The London Festival of Architecture has announced that its theme for 2018 will be ‘identity’. The theme will be explored and celebrated through a lively and diverse programme of public events across the capital when the London Festival of Architecture – Europe’s biggest annual architecture festival – returns on 1-30 June 2018.

Explaining the choice of theme for 2018, London Festival of Architecture director Tamsie Thomson says:

“London is the best city on earth – made more so thanks to its gloriously maddening, diverse and eclectic character. Whether you were born here or have just arrived, you can call yourself a Londoner – but what is it that makes a Londoner? What defines the city and therefore the identity of those who live in it?

“Churchill recognised the connection between architecture and identity when he said ‘we shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us’. Whether consciously or not, people identify with their surroundings, and architecture sits at the intersect between collective and individual identity. From the John Nash architecture of Regent Street to Canary Wharf or Brixton’s covered markets, architecture plays a fundamental role in shaping the identity of London and how people connect and identify with their neighbourhood or the city as a whole.

“Shared identity and understanding is what binds people together – whether that’s a community or a diverse group of architects within a practice. The diversity of London’s architecture practice is one of its strengths – but how will London’s identity as a global architectural hub be affected by Brexit as we lose our identity as fully fledged Europeans?

“In countless London streets or familiar places such as the Barbican, identity evolves over time and takes its cue from residents. Developers – and architects too – have sometimes sought to hasten that process by inventing a new identity for a place through branding. Can that work? As parts of London experience fundamental and rapid physical change – is there such a thing as instant identity?

“For the 2018 London Festival of Architecture these are just some of the questions we hope will be posed as we explore the theme of ‘identity’ and what it means for architects, architecture, and most of all, for Londoners.”

The call for entries for London Festival of Architecture 2018 will be made in November, and the festival will run at venues across the capital from 1-30 June 2018.

www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org
@LFArchitecture

3 Jul 2017

London Festival of Architecture 2017

image courtesy of LFA
London Festival of Architecture 2017

London Festival of Architecture Installations 2016

image from RIBA

London Festival of Architecture Installation in Clerkenwell
Design: Wilkinson Eyre Architects

pictures from architects
London Festival of Architecture Installation by Wilkinson Eyre