Building Sounds

Royal Docks: Pews and Perches

In late 2019, the London Festival of Architecture ran a competition for emerging architects to design a bench, which could offer a fun and creative place to sit, rest and play along the Royal Docks waterfront. In this episode will are sharing some of the conversations we had with the designers of the winning benches. Produced and edited by Eliza Grosvenor.

Royal Docks: Patera Building

In this episode, we hear from Shaun Lees, Managing Director of Patera Engineering, who tells us about the Patera Building by Hopkins and Partners. Produced and edited by Eliza Grosvenor.

Royal Docks: Thames Barrier and KGV Flood Gate

In this episode, we hear from Sam Nicholson and Laura Littleton, from the Environmental Agency, who tells us about the Thames Barrier and KGV Flood gate. Produced and edited by Eliza Grosvenor.

Royal Docks: Tidal Basin Pumping Station

In this episode, we hear from Mike Davies, from RSH+P, who tell us about the Tidal Basin Pumping Station and how it fits into the wider Docks Master Plan.  Produced and edited by Eliza Grosvenor.

Royal Docks Impounding Station

In this episode, we hear from Scott Derben, Managing Director of the Royal Docks Management Authority, who tells us about the Royal Docks Impounding Station, its past, present and future.  Produced and edited by Eliza Grosvenor.

Millennium Mills

In this episode, we hear from Graham Stark from Lendlease, and James Santer from AHMM who tell us about the Millennium Mills Buildings, its past and its future.  Produced and edited by Eliza Grosvenor.

London’s Docklands were once our gateway to the world. Originally built between the 1850s and 1920s the Royal Docks fuelled our international trade and brought wealth to the country. But as ships grew bigger, much of this ocean-going trade moved to larger docks further East along the Thames, and air travel developed to the West at Heathrow.

Whilst much of the transport infrastructure might have moved, what has been left is a stunning legacy of industrial architecture, as well as huge opportunities for the architects of today.

The Royal Docks is once again undergoing a rapid period of change with a wide range of new building in the design, planning and construction phases.

For the next season of our Buildings Sounds audio guide we’re bringing you five episodes on some of the most historically significant buildings in the Royal Docks including

These episodes will be realised over the coming weeks. You can find out more about these buildings by visiting lfa.london/powerpodcasts

Whilst you’re in the Royal Docks, you might like to know that for last year’s LFA we ran a competition – called Pews and Perches – for emerging architects and designers to create a series of unique benches around the dock. For many of these emerging architects and designers this was their first proper commission – their six benches superbly demonstrate the imagination and creativity of our next generation of architects. And that architects can work at any scale.

Many of these benches are still in place. You can find out where they are and hear from the architects themselves by visiting

And finally, to find out more about our collaboration with the Royal Docks team and their work visit londonfestivalofarchitecture.org.

We hope you enjoy this series of podcast from the Royal Docks.