15 June, 2015 -- LONDON – World Architecture Festival (WAF) today announces the programme for its first ever satellite exhibition and events programme, WAF London, from 24 to 27 June 2015. Hosted by the University of Westminster, in association with the London Festival of Architecture, WAF London is a free showcase of international, game changing architecture and design and an opportunity to attend talks and debates on global architectural issues with some of the greatest minds in the industry.
WAF London also provides an opportunity for the public to preview the world’s best buildings and foremost architectural practices that have been shortlisted to present their projects to the high profile international jury at the WAF Awards, Singapore in November. The shortlist, which will be revealed just ahead of WAF London on 22 June, features more than 400 entries from 46 countries. All shortlisted entries will be exhibited at WAF London, with selected finalists presenting their entries throughout the event.
The exhibition is accompanied by a robust and stimulating talks programme, with highlight speakers confirmed to attend including Emre Arolat, Emre Arolat Architects; Angelene Chan, DP Architects Singapore; Sir Peter Cook, CRAB Architects; Daniel Moylan, Transport for London and Mayor’s Design Advisory Group; Roger Zogolovitch, Solidspace; Linzi Cassels, Pringle Brandon Perkins + Wills and Ken Shuttleworth, Make.
The WAF London exhibition space, created by design partner Populous, will feature a dramatic seven metre high installation taking inspiration from the famous Eames’ ‘House of Cards’. The Populous design uses hundreds of super-sized multiples of a ‘W’ form to create a magnetically suspended gallery that will display all the WAF 2015 shortlisted projects.
The programme for the four-day architecture event begins on Wednesday 24 Junewith a focus on Buildings and Building Types. The talks programme opens with ‘City Update: Singapore’ by Angelene Chan of DP Architects, whose numerous award-winning projects including The Dubai Mall (the world’s largest shopping mall), and the $6.5bn Integrated resort, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore.
Following this is Emre Arolat of leading international architectural practice Emre Arolat Architects based in Istanbul and London. Arolat will present ‘London and Istanbul Compared’, drawing on Ist-On Situations, his practice’s current exhibition at RIBA, which explores the urban histories of both cities. The opening night reception commences at 6pm.
On Thursday 25 June, WAF London turns to Current Issues, with ‘London Question Time’ a key note panel discussion focusing on the issues affecting the capital and the implications of the new Conservative government. Chair Jeremy Melvin, Curator of WAF, is joined by a leading panel comprising of Daniel Moylan, Transport for London, Crossrail Limited and Chair of the Mayor’s Design Advisory Group; Jack Pringle, Pringle Brandon Perkins + Wills; Lara Kinnear, London Festival of Architecture and Peter Murray, Chair of New London Architecture.
On Thursday afternoon, Michael Heenan of Allen Jack & Cottier Architects, Australia, presents ‘City Update: Sydney’, examining Sydney’s future as a world city and the huge growth that is planned by 2030.
Speaking on ‘Architecture and the case for the independent developer’, Roger Zogolovitch will be in conversation with Crispin Kelly and WAF Programme Director Paul Finch. This will provide a platform for wider discussion on how the skills of the architect and the developer together can create innovative, well-designed homes for the many of London’s vacant sites. A book signing and champagne reception follows, supported by Solidspace.
Talks for Friday 26 June are based upon the theme Clients and Users. The day opens with a conversation with Ron Sheard, founder of Populous on the architect/occupier relationship with their building. Ken Shuttleworth of Make and Nigel Morley from UBS then join forces for ‘The UBS Broadgate Story – how a developer, architect and tenant came to create a new financial landmark’.
Afternoon talks commence with Linzi Cassels, Pringle Brandon Perkins + Will, who will present ‘The way we work (and live) now – density, sustainability and city futures’. This will be followed by the presentation ‘Starchitecture Today – what impact has globalisation had on architecture and cities?’, hosted by Davide Ponzini, professor of urban planning at the Politecnico di Milano and Michele Nastasi, photographer and managing editor of Lotus International. Will Alsop of aLL Design provides the closing address, ‘One Hundred Ideas for London’.
On Saturday 27 June WAF London will be joined by LEGO to host a Family Day and student design charette, with inspired younger visitors showcasing LEGO bridges, towers and city squares fit for 21st century London.
WAF Programme Director Paul Finch, said: ‘We are delighted to announce the programme for WAF London, which brings together some of the global industry’s greatest minds. WAF London will be packed with debate, education and inspiration - a truly international celebration of the very best architectural talent in London, one of the most dazzling architectural communities on the planet.”
Register for free today to see all the WAF 2015 finalists and attend the free talks programme at:
http://london.worldarchitecturefestival.com/content/waf-london-registration
WAF London Venue: Ambika P3, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road (entrance on Baker Street), London NW1 5LS.
Nearest tubes: Baker Street – Bakerloo line, Circle line, Hammersmith & City line, Jubilee line, Metropolitan line.
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Notes to Editors
World Architecture Festival
World Architecture Festival (WAF) comprises the Awards; a thematic conference programme (this year called ‘50:50 – Looking forward, looking back’, to mark the 50thanniversary of Singapore’s independence); an exhibition of Award entries; sponsor and exhibitor stands; and networking/social events.
INSIDE World Festival of Interiors runs alongside WAF, with its own awards and conference programme. Delegates to either event have access to both.
WAF and INSIDE are organised by EMAP, publishers of The Architectural Review and The Architects’ Journal.
WAF will take place in Singapore on 4, 5 and 6 November 2015.
More details from
www.worldarchitecturefestival.com
WAF London
WAF London will be hosted in Hall P3 University of Westminster, Marylebone Road, London from 24 to 27 June 2015.
WAF London will take place during the London Festival of Architecture, University of Westminster, courtesy of Headline Sponsor Swiss Pearl, and Design Partner Populous.
Sponsors: LEGO, Marco Goldschmied Foundation, ORO Editions and Pringle Brandon Perkins + Will.
London Festival of Architecture
The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) celebrates London as a global hub of architectural experimentation, practice and debate. Taking place throughout June, the annual festival provokes questions about the contemporary and future life of the city, and promotes positive change to its public realm.
The city-wide programme is delivered with leading cultural and academic institutions alongside associated projects by practices and individuals.
www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org
@LFArchitecture
#LFA2015
facebook.com/LondonFestivalofArchitecture