June in London is always a bit of a spectacle — the weather’s unpredictable, the parks are packed, and for the entire duration of the month, the capital becomes a playground for architectural imagination. The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) is back!
This year’s theme, ‘Voices’, is all about inclusivity, diversity, and the power of unheard perspectives in shaping the built environment. With over 450 events scattered across the city, the festival is a feast for the creatively curious. If you’re visiting and are short on time (or stamina), we’ve cherry-picked six standout experiences that speak volumes — quite literally — to the future of architecture, community, and design.
Whispers – Fleet Street Quarter
Created by acclaimed designer Oskar Zięta, Whispers is a sculptural installation made from inflated steel that reflects and distorts its surroundings like a hall of mirrors. It’s not just visually striking — it’s interactive, performative, and literally shaped by air pressure. The piece was inflated live in front of the general public, turning the unveiling into a performance in itself. It’s interactive, reflective — literally and metaphorically — and a beautifully quiet response to the festival’s theme, Voices.
Recreating the South Door – St. James’s Piccadilly
Recreating the South Door is part restoration, part revelation. For the first time in nearly two centuries, visitors to St James’s Piccadilly can enter via the South Door onto Jermyn Street — a key feature of Sir Christopher Wren’s original 1684 design, now painstakingly brought back to life by Ptolemy Dean Architects. But this isn’t just about architectural symmetry; it’s about accessibility, memory and meaning. The project integrates memorials unearthed during High Speed 2 (HS2) excavations and features recorded conversations with everyone from masons to theologians.
By the People: 150 Lifetimes – Wood Green and Alexandra Palace
By the People: 150 Lifetimes is a visual love letter to the community around Alexandra Palace. Featuring over 2,000 crowd-sourced images, this exhibition captures the everyday moments, milestones and memories that have shaped local lives — from street parties to quiet triumphs. Set alongside archival photos of historic events and iconic figures from Ally Pally’s 150-year history, it’s a rich, layered portrait of a place that’s always been more than just a venue. Free to visit and full of heart, it’s a reminder that heritage isn’t just preserved — it’s lived.
Fitz&Sits – A Creative Seating Trail – Fitzrovia
Fitz&Sits is a city-wide invitation to take a seat — but not just any seat. Scattered across Fitzrovia, this trail of nine vibrant, design-led benches transforms the simple act of sitting into a moment of connection, reflection, and play. Dreamed up by emerging creatives through a competition with the London Festival of Architecture, each installation is colourful, sustainable, and rooted in this event’s theme, giving passersby a chance to speak, rest, and breathe. It’s part of a long-term plan to reimagine Fitzrovia’s streets, one bold bench at a time.
A Journey Through London’s Built History – The London Archives
A Journey Through London’s Built History is a deep dive into the city’s architectural DNA. Hosted by The London Archives, this one-day exhibition (on 27 June) brings together original blueprints, drafts, models and photographs that chart the evolution of London’s skyline — from sketch to steel. It’s a rare chance to witness the creative process behind some of the capital’s most iconic (and overlooked) structures. Whether you live and breathe architecture or are just curious about how cities come to be, this is a fascinating look at the ideas, ambitions and accidents that shaped the London we know today.
Unheard Voices of the City – City of London
Set in the historic courtyard of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, Unheard Voices of the City is a powerful installation that amplifies the stories of those who keep London ticking after dark. Created by POoR Collective in partnership with the London Museum, it celebrates the night-shift workers, market traders, club-goers and café crews who rarely make the headlines but shape the city’s soul. Running from 14 June to 6 July, it’s part of Wiggle Wonderland’s open-air gallery and includes a series of free lunchtime events.
Architecture with a voice
This year’s LFA isn’t just about buildings — it’s about the people who shape them, the stories they tell, and the futures they imagine. Whether you’re an architect, a design obsessive, or just love exploring London, these installations offer a fresh lens on the city.
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