Accessible to who? Exploring built environment equity with Re-Fabricate and the DisOrdinary Architecture Project

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

In this episode of Building Sounds, we'll be exploring how urban farming can convert neglected urban spaces into flourishing vertical farms, reducing food poverty and supporting a more sustainable city.   In conversation with First Sukpaiboon and Dan Bridge, we investigate the transformative nature of vertical farming practices, and explore its role in shaping resilient and eco-friendly cities. A panel discussion and XR installation showcasing the vertical farm-to-form project mentioned in this episode featured as part of our LFA2023 programme. First Sukpaiboon is an architect and entrepreneur who specialises in placemaking and narrative design. She holds a master’s in urban planning and is a creative strategist at spacelab_. First has also conceived a research project funded by the Foundation for Future London, entitled 'Vertical Farming Intervention for Unused Spaces'. Dan Bridge leads the team looking after regeneration in the Royal Docks, alongside a the Mayor of London and the Mayor of Newham. Dan looks after a range of mixed-use development projects that are part of the Mayor of London’s largest land-led regeneration project and a designated Enterprise Zone.   Enjoy this episode? Listen back to our episode on The Factory Project, featuring an interview with Nick Hartwright, founder of Projekt.     This episode was produced and edited by Katya Spiers. You can find a transcript of the conversation using the link below: Download the transcript   Image © spacelab_ Image description: An visualisation of First Sukpaiboon's vertical farming project in the Royal Docks   Building Sounds is a podcast by the London Festival of Architecture team.

In this conversation, we're discussing how we can test new ideas for the public realm with temporary built projects, and the role they can play in shaping a more sustainable and equitable city. We're focussing on two installations that formed part of the London Festival of Architecture 2023 programme. The projects mentioned in this episode are in-situ until August. Find out more information on about On Tenterground and Common Ground on the LFA website. For the first conversation we’re joined by Lydia Allain Chapman, who oversees all built projects and competitions at the LFA. We then speak with Marwa El Mubark (Saqqra) and Nasios Varnavas (Urban Radicals), two of the designers behind Common Ground. We close with a conversation with Chāo Gāo, founding director of ciaociao design, whose On Tenterground is currently installed in Aldgate.   URBAN RADICALS is a collaborative studio that designs objects, rooms, architectures and landscapes. The studio started out in 2019 as a duo between architects Era Savvides and Nasios Varnavas, and is now an expansive network between friends, colleagues and expert collaborators, solving design problems across contexts and scales. Ciaociao Design is a design studio focusing on landscape architecture and art installations, founded by Chao Gao in 2020. Ciaociao Design’s ethos is to create sustainable and memorable spaces for everyone. Chao is a chartered Landscape Architect who has over ten years experience. She has successfully designed and delivered many notable UK and international projects. Saqqra is a new collective founded by writers and researchers Marwa El Mubark and Niall Bridgeman. Saqqra is interested in decolonizing and decarbonizing construction industry and just wider conversations around architecture. Both Marwan and Niall also teach at Kingston and UEL.     This episode was produced and edited by Katya Spiers. You can find a transcript of the conversation using the link below: Download the transcript   Images: On Tenterground © Luke O'Donovan, Common Ground © Joe Howard @ Bar Productions Image description: A compilation image of Common Ground and On Tenterground, the two LFA projects mentioned in this podcast. The upper image of Common Ground is a close up showing the materiality of the project. The bottom image is a close up of the sails which form part of Tenterground.

As part of LFA2023, the LFA unveiled the winning installations for the third edition of Showroom Showcase. Now in its third year the Showroom Showcase competition sees a series of innovative installations exploring the theme of reuse by emerging architects and designers displayed in some of London’s leading design showrooms - Gaggenau, Ideal Standard and VitrA Bathrooms. In this episode we speak to the designers of the winning installations to hear the stories behind their designs.   To find out more about the project, head to lfa.london/ss. To explore the whole LFA2023 programme, head to lfa.london/LFA2023.   1:38 - TIME by Raphaé Memon and Sikander Pervez for Gaggenau 10:10 - Nebula by Antoniya Stoitsova for VitrA Bathrooms 15:40 - Beauty in the Broken by Isabella Yurtsever for Ideal Standard   This episode was produced and edited by Katya Spiers. You can find a transcript of the conversation using the link below: Download the transcript   Image: Showroom Showcase Installations, LFA2023 - Kes-tchaas Eccleston Image description: Collage of three images. The first showing a close up of TIME, showing a selection of stacked clocks, showing different times. The second showing a close up of Beauty in the Broken, showing some of the discarded pieces of ceramic hanging from the ceiling. The third showing a close up of Nebula, and the ceramic trapped in the structural form.

As part of LFA2023, the LFA unveiled the winning benches for the third edition of Pews and Perches. The series of benches aims to improve London’s public realm, celebrate emerging architectural talent, and connect people with the buildings and spaces around them. In this episode we speak to the designers of the winning installations to hear the stories behind their designs. To find out more about the project, head to lfa.london/pews. To explore the whole LFA2023 programme, head to lfa.london/LFA2023.   This episode was produced and edited by Katya Spiers. You can find a transcript of the conversation using the link below: Download the transcript   Image: Pews and Perches Benches, LFA2023 - Luke O'Donovan Image description: Collage of four images. The first showing a close up of the Chit Chat Chair, with the water of the Royal Docks in the background. The second showing FLOAT, with Royal Albert Dock in the background. The third showing a close up of Round the Neighbourhood, with UTC in the background. And fourth showing Together We Hold, amongst the greenery of Lyle Park.   1:37 - Round The Neighbourhood by Nicolos Makatsaria and Jericho Cabalan 5:55 - Chit Chat Chair by Studio Groove 10:23 - Together We Hold by Akmaral Khassen 17:20 - FLOAT by Akasaki Vanhuyse  

In this conversation we’re exploring the London Festival of Architecture 2023 programme ahead of the month-long series of events happening across London, across the month of June. We’re joined by one of the LFA2023 Curation Panel members, Melodie Leung and Gonzalo Herrero Delicado. Melodie Leung is an Associate Director at Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) where she has been a leading designer within the practice for over 15 years overseeing notable projects across architecture, interiors, product design, and exhibitions. Gonzalo Herrero Delicado is a curator, educator and architect based in London whose work is at the intersection of architecture and design, exploring their connection to ecology and digital culture. He is Director of the Ecocity World Summit 2023. He is also a Design Fellow at the University of Cambridge and an Associate Lecturer at Central Saint Martins, UAL. To explore the LFA2023 programme, head to lfa.london/LFA2023. To find out more about Eco City, head to www.ecocity-summit.com/ - The code mentioned in the conversation was 23ECOLON25.   Some of the LFA events mentioned are as followed (in order of appearance): - Fleet Street Plant Press, by Wayward (Holborn Circus) - Connecting Colindale: A Flight Path Folly, by Andre Kong Studio and Wayward (Colindale Park) - Seats at the Table by Re-Fabricate and the DisOrdinary Architecture Project (Postman's Park) - Urban Playground, by McCloy + Muchemwa (Fen Court) - The Never Ending Challenge, by London Borough of Bromley (Crystal Palace Museum) - Vertical Farm-to-Fork at the Factory, by Projekt and Spacelab_ (The Factory) - Cycle tour of new Enfield architecture, by IF_DO (Tottenham Hale Station) - Participatory Urbanism, by Zaha Hadid Architects (Zaha Hadid Architects Gallery)   This episode was produced and edited by Eliza Grosvenor. You can find a transcript of the conversation using the link below: Download the transcript   Image: Design Concept for ‘Connecting Colindale: A Flight Path Folly’ by Andre Kong Studio and Wayward Image description: Design concept of the Connecting Colindale installation showing woman sitting on installation, which is covered in greenery, and another group pointing at the installation.