KPF hosted two public tours as part of the annual London Festival of Architecture, taking participants through some of the capital’s most architecturally layered neighbourhoods to encourage deep engagement with the city.
Urban Sketching with KPF
KPF Principal John Bushell led a public drawing session, looking at three distinct architectural periods: from the neo-classical St George’s, Bloomsbury, designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor in the 18th century, to high Victorian at Princes Circus, and finishing at Centre Point, the modernist landmark by Richard Seifert and partners. Participants were invited to capture the city’s energy and character through traditional sketching. For John, drawing is central to how he designs and connects with cities, reflecting his belief that observational drawing is one of the most direct ways to understand and belong to a city.
London’s Changing Character: 50th Anniversary Walk with KPF
To mark KPF50, a year-long global celebration of the firm’s past, present, and future, Senior Associate Principal, Alex Miller, led a guided walk which invited participants to consider belonging and placemaking within the context of London’s architectural history, incorporating some of KPF’s projects from the past five decades. Starting at KPF’s office in Covent Garden, the route moved through the City of London, passing some of KPF’s most significant built work along the way.
LFA is a month-long celebration of architecture and city-making, taking place across London every June. This year’s theme, “Belonging,” explores how architecture and city-making shape personal identity, foster community connection, and address urban challenges like displacement and inequality.
