In this conversation Rosa Rogina and Dhruv Gulabchande explore the chosen theme for the London Festival of Architecture (LFA) 2025: 'Voices'. During the conversation, the two discuss mentorship, urban narratives, and taking action through engagement, as well as unpack the relationship of people's stories and the importance of listening to and amplifying a diverse range of voices in the built environment which sits at the core of LFA.

About the speakers:

Rosa Rogina is the Director of London Festival of Architecture, leading on the strategic development of the Festival, LFA competitions and wider consultancy work. In parallel, Rosa also teaches architecture at the University of East London. Previously, she has co-curated the Montenegro Pavilion at the 2018 Venice Biennale and was curator in residence at Vienna Design Week 2020.

Alongside his role as LFA2025 Curation Panel member, Dhruv Gulabchande is an Architect and Associate Director at HFM Architects, currently teaching at Central Saint Martins, with previous roles at the University of Sheffield, and Brighton. He leads non-profit mentoring platform, Narrative Practice, where his research focuses on promoting diversity through integrating long-term mentoring into practice and academia. In recognition of his work, he has recently been selected as a RIBAJ Rising Star.

Narrative Practice is an architectural mentoring and research platform that aims to improve diversity and representation within the profession. To learn more about Narrative Practice, you can use the link here.

 

To find out more about LFA2025 or how to get involved in the Festival, head to the LFA website here.

Have a question for the podcast? Email [email protected] here.

This episode was edited by Luke Chapman. You can find a transcript of the conversation using the link below:

Download the transcript here.

 

Episode image: Narrative Practice x Wilkinson Eyre (c) James Budgen

In this conversation we discuss what it means as architects and designers to prioritise holistic sustainability, considering the impact of our proposals both for the people using the spaces we design, alongside the impact on the planet.

To reimagine the typology of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), with architectural and philosophical ideas, we're joined by Thomas Krarup (Cobe), Chiara Cozzolino and Vicki Odili (tp bennett).

The trio share their thoughts on how to get the best out of opportunities for collaboration - especially in our historic, eclectic and nonhomogenous capital city of London- their interest in the intangible elements facilitated by good design such as community, wellbeing, comfort and happiness and how their robust approach to the future of student accommodation utilises lessons learnt from past projects and students lived experience, alongside building physics, scientific research and the latest in computational design.

Key term breakdown: Passivhaus. The Passivhaus standard primarily considers key building physics concepts to reduce in-use operational energy. This must be considered in the whole life cycle with embodied carbon to mitigate climate change and deliver meaningful benefits to students and the wider communities. This sustainability accreditation closely aligns with the people and planet-centric approach of the project(s) spoke about, delivering optimum thermal comfort and air quality through a fabric-first approach.

Download the transcript for the conversation here

To learn more about the speakers and their work:

Head to the tp bennett website here, or by give tp bennet a follow on Linkedin here.

Heading to the COBE website here, or by give COBE a follow on Linkedin here and Instagram here.

And find out more about speakers Chiara Cozzolino here and Vicki Odili here

One of the London Festival of Architecture's key missions is to platform the work of emerging designers, showcasing the sustainable and forward-thinking design that's happening in universities, collectives, classrooms and small practices across the city.

This month, the Festival is back with two installations in Gaggenau's Wigmore Street showroom by designer Titilayo Abiola, who's going to talk you through her inspirations for each of the two pieces. You can find more information and images of the pieces online, or why not head to Gaggenau to see the installations for yourself?

For more information about the pieces and details of how long they're on display for, head to lfa.london/gaggenau.

Head to the Tilayo website to stay up-to-date on designer Titilayo Abiola's work.

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

 

How can we harness culture and community power as tools for connection across a borough?

Barnet is one of London's largest boroughs, but existing public transport links can make cross-borough connection difficult. Join Sophie Roberts (LFA Senior Programme Manager), Synthia Griffin (Arts and Culture Manager, London Borough of Barnet) and Becky Lyon (Barnet-based Artist and Researcher) to discuss how the council has been harnessing arts and culture initiatives to improve east-west connectivity and build a unified cultural identity.

From empowering local creatives with micro grants to fostering consortium working and innovative partnerships, this episode explore's the borough's journey to becoming a cultural hub.

To find out more about the London Festival of Architecture in Barnet, head to lfa.london/barnet. You can find out more about Barnet Council here and Becky Lyon's work here.

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

01:50 Introduction to Synthia and culture in Barnet

05:39 Introduction to Becky and Barnet art scene

07:25 Importance of widening access to arts

09:23 Collaboration with community groups

19:49 Testing ideas in the public realm

31:55 Aspirations and next steps

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

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

 

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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