London | Tag | ArchDaily

From Helsinki’s Landmark Bridge to London’s Urban Regeneration: Recent Updates from Knight Architects, Foster + Partners, and More

March 21, 2025

In recent weeks, a series of notable architectural projects have been announced, reflecting a broad spectrum of design approaches aimed at enhancing urban life, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability. From cultural venues to large-scale masterplans and infrastructural advancements, these developments highlight how architecture continues to shape cities and communities. Among them, Knight Architects' Kruunusillat Bridge in Helsinki marks a milestone as Finland's tallest and longest bridge, designed to support sustainable mobility. Meanwhile, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield's masterplan for Croydon sets out a vision for a vibrant mixed-use district, integrating historic preservation with contemporary urban renewal. At Kew Gardens, Mizzi Studio's Carbon Garden introduces a new permanent installation that explores carbon cycles through landscape design. This collection of recent announcements underscores the evolving priorities in architecture, from connectivity and urban regeneration to climate-conscious interventions.

Art, Activism, and the City: Illuminating Social Change

March 13, 2025

The creative fusion of art and activism in urban spaces has propelled the British collective Led by Donkeys into the spotlight, garnering millions of views for their interventions on social media. Their critical visual occupations - whether billboard messages during the day or large-scale projections at night - raise a compelling question: which medium holds the greater persuasive power? The book "Led by Donkeys: Adventures in Art, Activism and Accountability" offers a deep dive into their conceptual approach, charting their rapid evolution over six years. What began as a London-based response to Brexit has expanded into a global critique of political hypocrisy, addressing issues in Europe, the Middle East, and America. For Peter Weibel, former director of the ZKM Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe, Germany, the innovative fusion of activism and art—or "Artivism"—represents the first new art form of the 21st century. Years of experience in environmental activism provided the group with crucial insights into the mechanics of political communication, the organization of public interventions, and the challenges of achieving meaningful societal change.

+ 1

The Scoop Office Building / Corstorphine & Wright

March 06, 2025

+ 12

Architects: Corstorphine & Wright
Year: 2024
Professionals: WBD Group, Winthill Engineering, Grafton, Conisbee, We Design For

Bradford Unveils Ramadan Pavilion ‘Infinite Light’ for 2025 United Kingdom City of Culture

March 03, 2025

A new site-specific pavilion has been unveiled in Bradford city centre as part of the 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations. Designed by artist Zarah Hussain and architectural designer Fatima Mejbil, Infinite Light marks the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan and the launch of Ramadan Festival 2025. The project has been commissioned by the Ramadan Tent Project in collaboration with Bradford 2025 and follows the inaugural Ramadan Pavilion designed by Shahed Saleem in 2023.

+ 4

Foster + Partners and Heatherwick Studio Amongst Shortlisted Teams for Queen Elizabeth II National Memorial in United Kingdom

February 26, 2025

The United Kingdom Government has announced the shortlisted design teams for the national memorial dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II, following the first stage of a two-stage open competition that attracted creative talent from the UK and beyond. The five teams moving forward in the competition are Foster + Partners with Yinka Shonibare and Michel Desvigne Paysagiste; Heatherwick Studio with Halima Cassell, MRG Studio, Webb Yates, and Arup; J&L Gibbons with Michael Levine RDI, William Matthews Associates, Structure Workshop, and Arup; Tom Stuart-Smith with Jamie Fobert Architects, Adam Lowe (Factum Arte), and Structure Workshop; and WilkinsonEyre with Lisa Vandy, Fiona Clark, Andy Sturgeon Design, Atelier One, and Hilson Moran.

Exploring High-Rise Innovations: 8 Conceptual Towers Redefining Urban Density from the ArchDaily Community

February 19, 2025

As cities grow and available land becomes more limited, high-rise architecture plays an important role in addressing urban density while shaping new ways of living and working. Tall buildings are evolving beyond their traditional functions to integrate environmental strategies, enhance public engagement, and contribute to the urban fabric. Architects are exploring new materials, energy-efficient technologies, and spatial configurations that make towers more adaptable to their surroundings. Some projects incorporate green spaces and shared amenities to create a stronger connection between the built environment and its users, while others introduce innovative construction techniques to improve sustainability and efficiency.

Among this selection of projects submitted by the ArchDaily community, The Residences at 1428 Brickell by Arquitectonica in Miami, United States introduces a solar-powered facade that contributes to the building's energy needs. In Dubai, UAE, AVA by SOMA creates a transition from the city into a more enclosed, water-defined environment with a focus on luxury living. In Bangkok, Thailand, HAS Design and Research proposes the Bangkok Civic Center Tower as a new type of public space, combining green landscapes with mirrored surfaces to connect the city with nature. These projects reflect different approaches to vertical architecture and highlight how designers are responding to the challenges and opportunities of dense urban environments.

Make It New: Exhibition in London Explores Sir John Soane's Modernist Influence Through Unseen Drawings

February 13, 2025

"Soane and Modernism: Make it New" brings together architectural drawings from Sir John Soane's extensive collection in dialogue with works by renowned modernist figures, including Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, Adolf Loos, and Ernő Goldfinger. Curated by Dr. Erin McKellar, Assistant Curator of Exhibitions at Sir John Soane's Museum, the exhibition highlights the presence of 20th-century modern architectural design ideals in the work of 19th-century architect Sir John Soane. The selection of works is based on the idea that Soane's designs can be considered a precursor to many architectural principles adopted in the twentieth century.

+ 12

"Architecture as an Interface That Must Adapt:" ecoLogicStudio on Nature-Inspired Urban Design in Louisiana Channel Interview

February 03, 2025

In a recent interview with Louisiana Channel, ecoLogic Studio discusses a new approach to architecture that explores the relationship between nature and urban design. Claudia Pasquero and Marco Poletto, the studio's lead architects, explain that modern architecture should be rethought to adapt to the changing environment and to serve as a connection between urban life and natural systems. The architects compare the current transformation in the field to the period of the Renaissance, when architecture evolved in response to the needs of society. Today, they argue, there is an opportunity for architects to learn from nature and design urban spaces that are both sustainable and functional.

Serpentine Announces Marina Tabassum as the Designer of the 2025 Pavilion

January 28, 2025

Serpentine has announced the selection of Bangladeshi architect and educator Marina Tabassum and her firm, Marina Tabassum Architects, to design the 2025 Pavilion. Titled "A Capsule in Time," the proposal takes inspiration from the ephemeral nature of architecture in the Bengal Delta, incorporating a semi-transparent structure intended to evoke a sense of community and connection. The Pavilion will open to the public on June 6th, 2025, marking 25 years since the Serpentine's first commission of Zaha Hadid's inaugural structure in Hyde Park in 2000.

Foster + Partners Unveils Two New Residential Towers in London's King's Road Park Master Plan

January 27, 2025

Phase four of the King's Road Park masterplan, designed by Foster + Partners for St William, has received detailed planning permission. The design, located in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, comprises two residential towers of 28 and 38 stories, a seven-story podium building, and 1.9 acres of new parkland and public open space, totaling 357 new homes. The residential buildings incorporate communal spaces, including a ground-level amenity and a rooftop garden sheltered by a louvered canopy. The towers' slender profiles are intended to complement the existing urban skyline, featuring terracotta paneling in a nod to local architectural styles.

+ 3

Unveiling the 15 Most Significant Architectural Events of 2025

January 17, 2025

2025 promises to be a landmark in architecture, heralding a vibrant renaissance of creativity and exploration. As societies confront challenges such as climate change, rapid urbanization, and technological evolution, architecture is both a mirror to these dynamics and a compass pointing toward a sustainable and inclusive future. This year's architectural calendar offers abundant opportunities to celebrate the discipline's transformative power — from boundary-pushing festivals to thought-provoking exhibitions that explore pressing cultural and environmental narratives.

From well-established biennials to inaugural gatherings, including the World Architecture Festival 2025, Desert X Al Ula, and the COP Climate Conference, the 2025 calendar highlights themes such as sustainability, heritage, and community. These events underscore architecture's unique ability to shape a better future, addressing global challenges while honoring cultural diversity and design ingenuity.

+ 14

Bauhaus Earth Announces 2025 Experimental Fellows to Investigate Earth's Role in Contemporary Design

January 13, 2025

Maria Lisogorskaya and Kaye Song from the London-based collective Assemble, along with Lviv-based architects Anna Pomazanna and Mykhailo Shevchenko, have been announced as the 2025 Experimental Fellows at Bauhaus Earth. Selected from 120 submissions, their projects are set to explore earth as a material in contemporary architecture. The annual Bauhaus Earth Fellowship program was established in 2022 by architect Prof. Regine Leibinger. It aims to support diverse projects that explore new modes of practice across various geographies, that can contribute to ecological and social resilience. Fellows receive financial support, mentorship, and access to a network encouraging collaboration among architects, manufacturers, and local stakeholders.

+ 16

Stanton Williams to Design Fleming Research Centre at St Mary’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom

January 10, 2025

Stanton Williams has been selected to design the Fleming Centre, a state-of-the-art research and public engagement facility to be constructed on the St Mary's Hospital campus in Paddington, London. Announced by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the project aims to create a global hub for collaboration and innovation in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a significant healthcare challenge affecting populations worldwide. The Fleming Centre forms part of the broader Fleming Initiative, a joint venture between Imperial College Healthcare and Imperial College London.

Forest Gate House / LSD Architects

January 06, 2025

+ 17

Architects: LSD Architects (UK)
Area: 30 m²
Year: 2024
Manufacturers: bricoflor

Meanwhile Projects Activating Public Space: Lessons from Pop Brixton and Peckham Levels in London, United Kingdom

January 01, 2025

A "meanwhile space" refers to the temporary use of an otherwise vacant area—whether it's an empty shop, a disused building, or a site awaiting redevelopment. The concept revolves around making productive use of these spaces during the interim period before a long-term purpose is established. Essentially, it's about what happens in the meantime, turning unused spaces into vibrant, functional places during periods of uncertainty or transition.

+ 5

The Museum of London: Exploring the Brutalist Landmark Facing Demolition

December 22, 2024

Nestled within the junction of London Wall and Aldersgate Street in the Barbican district of the City of London lies the Museum of London. Built in 1977, the brutalist building was home to the world's largest urban history collection, with more than six million objects curated to highlight London's social history. The museum has been closed for over two years with plans for relocation, while its historic building faces demolition to make way for a new development—the London Wall West scheme. This has sparked mixed reactions from London residents and people across the country, with calls to review the proposed design and campaigns favoring retrofit over the demolition of this unique modernist building. Photographer Arnolt Smead recently visited the museum to capture its beautiful architectural moments and highlight its unique features.

+ 10

Studio Weave Leads Design of British Museum's New Visitor Pavilions Amid Broader Masterplan Initiatives

December 20, 2024

The British Museum has revealed Studio Weave as the lead team selected to design its new visitor welcome pavilions and forecourt as part of a larger redevelopment initiative. The project is one of the Museum's key steps in its extensive Masterplan, which aims to modernize the iconic central London site while preserving its historical significance. The winning proposal was chosen through a competition organized under the Greater London Authority's Architecture + Urbanism framework, which prioritizes diversity and sustainability in design.

Laurie House / Joseph Mills Architects

December 18, 2024