The London Festival of Architecture is a month-long, city-wide celebration of architectural innovation across the capital. The Resident picks seven of the best south London events
The Garden Bridge Project
26 June
In their first joint public talk, Thomas Heatherwick and Dan Pearson Pearson discuss the concepts behind London’s first Garden Bridge with actress and campaigner Joanna Lumley. Connecting the north, from Temple Station to the South Bank, the bridge, designed by Heatherwick and landscaped by Pearson, will provide a stunning new public garden across the Thames. This event takes place as part of the Human-Nature series of events staged by Siobhan Davies Dance exploring the theme of natural capital.
7pm-9pm, £10
Siobhan Davies Studios, 85 St George’s Road, Lambeth SE1 6ER
The Pungent Subway
12, 13 and 14 June
An immersive olfactory installation by creative guerrilla gardening Good at Magic/Richard Reynolds, The Pungent Subway will use the comforting fragrance of herbs and flowers to change the general perception of a 55-year-old subway in Elephant and Castle SE1. One of the seven subways will be transformed in a comforting installation, with a bed of dried lavender and bay leaves crushing under the visitors’ feet, and hanging bunches of sage and rosemary contributing to the olfactory experience. All the herbs are locally grown produce harvested from community and guerrilla gardens in SE1.
6.30pm-8.30pm, free
Elephant and Castle Subway
Architecture Late: Spotlight on Soane
20 June
Spotlight on Soane is a special event as part of the London Festival of Architecture. Discover the fascinating history of the Dulwich Picture Gallery building an astonishing example of the work of John Soane, who’s groundbreaking designs have helped shaped the face of the modern capital. Hear the story of how the gallery came to be in Dulwich over 200 years ago in 1811 and take part in an interactive workshop, and tour that will bring the gallery’s famous architecture to life.
7pm-9pm, £20
Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road SE21 7AD
The Death and Life of Great London High Streets: Deptford High Street
14 June
Deptford High Streets has a fascinating past and retains much of its original character and charm. This visit, led by designers and project leaders, will showcase recent projects funded by Lewisham Council and the Mayor of London to improve the historic market street in terms of public realm designed by BDP and a number of interventions by muf architecture/art with Objectif, as well as explain the wider regeneration context. With thousands of new homes planned for Deptford, the Mayor’s Outer London Fund has given £1.5m, matched by £732,000 from the council, for a series of projects to prepare Deptford’s high street for the future.
12noon-1pm
Meet at Giffin Street corner of Deptford High Street SE8 4AA
Heritage and Legacy: In the Shadows of Dinosaurs at Crystal Palace
21 June
The Information Project, is a practical local community initiative to raise expectations and stimulate debate about what culture is in the context of a proposed development in Crystal Palace Park. An ideas mash-up discussing how the heritage of Crystal Palace has evolved with time, from the original ‘fun-fair’ extravagance post-Great Exhibition with Paxton’s vision, through decline to a scrapyard then renewed heritage in the form of sport, the early days of CPFC, the FA Cup and legendary cricketer WG Grace, then decline, the listed dinosaurs and re-visioning. The format will be a panel-led debate.
2.30pm-4.30pm, free
Crystal Palace, Salvation Army Worship Hall SE19 3AF
Nine Elms on the South Bank Architectural Showcase
19-22 June
Nine Elms on the South Bank, the area between Lambeth Bridge and Chelsea Bridge, is one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe and will be transformed into a world-class destination. During the London Festival of Architecture, the area will host a series of events at several venues, including Battersea Power Station, bringing together the models, CGIs and videos of the developments in the area. This is a ‘who’s who’ of the world’s greatest architects with Gehry Partners LLP, Foster & Partners, Rogers Stirk Harbour, Rafael Vinoly Architects, Kohn Pedersen Fox, among others represented across Nine Elms. In addition, the public realm is being shaped with a linear park tying together the exceptional developments.
Free, but you must register your interest by sending your contact details and attendance preferences to nineelmsonthesouthbank@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk
Concrete Wonder: Stockwell Bus Garage
21 June
This year, London Transport Museum and Transport for London are celebrating the vital role the bus plays in the life’s of Londoners, with the Year of the Bus. As part of these celebrations Stockwell bus garage is opening up its doors, giving the public the rare chance to see its majestic vaulting roof. Designed and built in the 1950s by Adie, Button and Partners, Stockwell bus garage is recognised as one of the most important modernist buildings in London. Reflecting the themes of Architectural Capital and Capital Investment, this bus garage demonstrates London’s position as an international centre for architecture.
10am-5pm
Stockwell Bus Garage, Binfield Road, SW4 6ST
For the full list of events, see londonfestivalofarchitecture.org
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