Architecture Now / News / LONDON FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE 2010: The UK's largest celebration of architecture returns to the capital 19th June - 4th July

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Three weekends, 16 days, over 300 events, 250,000 visitors, star names and an unrivalled variety and vibrancy of installations, exhibitions, debates and dialogue, the biennial London Festival of Architecture (LFA) returns to the capital with a bang.

Established in 2004, LFA is a celebration and exploration of buildings, streets, spaces and places in the capital and highlights London's reputation as an international creative hub. Since its inception, LFA has engaged and excited a new audience helping to place architecture firmly at the forefront of the cultural agenda and shift its status from a specialist interest for the few, to an essential consideration for the many.

A varied and colourful programme of events including exhibitions, debates, dance, breakfast picnics, street markets, workshops, talks, parties, guided walks, bicycle and boat tours will see London, a heavy place of bricks, steel and concrete, invaded by a lighter city of canvas, tents, towers and pavilions.

Run in conjunction with a broad range of cultural partners including the British Council, Tate Modern, London Metropolitan University and V&A, LFA provides a platform for many of the leading figures of architecture and urbanism including; Daniel Libeskind, Sir John Ritblat, Francine Houben, Rafael Vinoly, MVRDV, Alain de Botton, Rem Koolhaas, Ken Livingstone, Ed Jones, Sir Terry Farrell, Stephen Bayley, Deyan Sudjic, and Wayne Hemingway to debate and discuss timely themes and burning questions, addressing key issues such as how can we make London a better place to live and work in.

Centrally curated by three leading architectural institutions, RIBA London, The Architecture Foundation and New London Architecture, LFA is structured over three weekends across three London hubs: Central London (19th / 20th June), East London (26th / 27th) and South London (3rd /4thJuly) united under the Festival theme, 'The Welcoming City.' In addition to each weekend hub, a core series of activities and one-off events will run throughout the Festival scattered far and wide across the capital. In the true spirit of 'The Welcoming City' practices London-wide will also be opening their doors to the public and engaging with their local communities to provide a rich insight into the profession through open studio tours, events and school visits.

Weekend 1, June 19 - 23

CENTRAL: NASH RAMBLAS
RIBA London is opening the festival with a West End hub that celebrates John Nash's key north-south route between two Royal Parks (Regent's Park and St James's) uniting a wealth of architectural, historical, cultural and commercial offers. Nash Ramblas highlights the origins of the route in the early 19th century and explores contemporary, as well as the future, plans and potential for this area as a major pedestrian destination.

Weekend 2, June 26 - 27

EAST: HIGH STREET 2012
The second weekend focus is the section of streets that stretch from Aldgate to Stratford and represent the last 6km of the London 2012 Olympic Marathon and the historic gateway into the City, as well as a wider current streetscape and regeneration strategy. The High Street will host a series of activities and interventions, coordinated by The Architecture Foundation in collaboration with Design for London as a local delivery partner, and with the support of London Borough of Newham and Land Securities.

Weekend 3, June 30 - July 4

SOUTH: BANKSIDE URBAN FOREST
The final weekend of the Festival brings focus to the area stretching between the culturally vibrant South bank of the River Thames and the Elephant and Castle neighbourhood further south. Taking its cues from Witherford Watson Mann architects' Bankside Urban Forest scheme, it will create multiple opportunities for exchange between Festival visitors and local residents. This hub is coordinated by The Architecture Foundation, with support of Better Bankside and Design for London.

www.lfa2010.org

Posted: 02/06/2010 16:18:34

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