Movie Night - Radical Landscapes

Photo Credit: Chris Musangi, AIA

We returned to the BFI a week later, on 28th October 2025, for the screening of Radical Landscapes — marking our fastest back-to-back film events yet, due to the overlapping schedules of AIA programming and the BFI calendar. The evening drew another full audience eager to explore a vibrant chapter of architectural history told through a personal lens.

The film follows filmmaker Elettra Fiumi as she uncovers the remarkable creative life of her father, Fabrizio Fiumi, a member of the avant-garde collective Gruppo 9999. Upon inheriting his archives, Elettra embarks on a journey through the radical world of 1960s and 1970s Florence — a time when architecture, art, ecology, and counterculture merged into a dazzling tapestry of experimentation and optimism. The collective imagined immersive gardens inside nightclubs, utopian urban systems, and a world where technology and nature coexisted in harmony — visions that still resonate with today’s ecological and societal challenges.

The documentary’s vivid, layered storytelling evokes the spirit of the Radical Architecture movement while bridging it to contemporary concerns about sustainability and digital culture. It was especially interesting to see the connections between Radical Landscapes and Green Over Grey: Emilio Ambasz, which we screened earlier in March. Ambasz, as curator of the 1972 MoMA exhibition Italy: The New Domestic Landscape, played a pivotal role in introducing Gruppo 9999 and their contemporaries to an international audience. That landmark exhibition brought together Italy’s most visionary designers and architects — Ambasz among them — and helped define an era of creative rebellion that continues to inspire generations.

The debate following the screening was lively and continued well into the evening, spilling over into the lobby upstairs long after the cinema doors had closed. Attendees shared reflections, ideas, and enthusiasm, clearly inspired by both the film and the enduring spirit of Radical Architecture.

Many thanks to all who attended our screenings throughout 2025. We look forward to welcoming you back — and to seeing many new faces — as we continue our architectural film series in the year ahead.

Elettra Fiumi, filmmaker of Radical Landscapes, is planning a large exhibition on the '9999' this spring in Milan. Please refer to https://fiumistudios.com for additional upcoming information on this exhibition.

Written by Chris Musangi, AIA

AIA UK Student Workshop Builds Core Drawing and Representation Skills

AIA UK hosted its first Student Workshop on 18 October 2025 as an online event. The session strengthened manual drawing and digital representation skills for Part 1 architecture students. Many attendees also planned to join the upcoming Student Charrette, so the workshop offered early preparation and skill building.

Jamar Rock, Assoc AIA, Graphics Chair of AIA UK, opened the session with a focused talk on digital representation. He outlined his work in architectural graphics and showed examples that highlighted clarity, hierarchy and precision. He then offered guidance on portfolio layout. He stressed consistent structure, clear labelling and strong narrative flow. Students asked questions about page composition and the use of diagrams to explain design decisions.

Lulu Yang, Assoc AIA, JEDI Chair of AIA UK, followed with a session on manual sketching. She introduced her approach to observational drawing and explained how quick studies help you understand proportion, shade and character. She completed a short live demo using a still image. Students observed the process step by step and produced their own sketches during the exercise.

The workshop created an environment where students could test ideas, ask questions and receive direct feedback from practitioners. The combination of digital and manual methods gave participants a balanced set of tools for design communication. Many students said the session increased their confidence before the Charrette.

AIA UK plans to continue these workshops to support early career designers and strengthen communication skills across the student community.

Written by Paolo Mendoza, Assoc AIA

Movie Night - Aldo Rossi Design

Photo Credit: Chris Musangi, AIA

We started the Autumn movie screenings with a sold-out, full-capacity showing of Aldo Rossi Design on 21st of October 2025. The evening celebrated the life and work of Aldo Rossi — a leading figure of the Neo-Rationalist movement and one of the most influential architectural thinkers of the 20th century. Recognised for his profound contributions to architectural theory, particularly through his seminal book The Architecture of the City, Rossi redefined the way architects understand urban form, memory, and the collective identity of place.

His work, deeply rooted in his native northern Italy, reflects a fascination with the simplicity of geometric form and a poetic connection to history. Projects such as the hauntingly beautiful San Cataldo Cemetery in Modena and the ethereal Teatro del Mondo, a floating theatre constructed for the Venice Biennale, exemplify his ability to merge timeless archetypes with contemporary design sensibilities.

The documentary not only explored Rossi’s designs and their enduring influence but also provided a fascinating look at the relationships he fostered throughout his career. Architect Daniel Libeskind, a frequent interviewee in the film, offered thoughtful reflections on his time working with Rossi. Their relationship was one of mentorship and inspiration — Libeskind has often credited Rossi as a guiding influence on his architectural philosophy and even paid homage to him in later works, such as his miniature “water tower” for Alessi, which reinterprets one of Rossi’s iconic urban artefacts.

Through archival footage, rare design prototypes, and intimate commentary, Aldo Rossi Design offered an absorbing window into the mind of a true modern master. The 40-minute documentary was concise yet impactful — short, succinct, and wonderfully effective in conveying Rossi’s depth of vision. The screening concluded with a lively discussion, with many attendees expressing their wish that the film had been longer.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this memorable evening and for your continued support of our movie night series.

Written by Chris Musangi, AIA

From Intent to Impact: Designing for Everyone

On October 8th, AIA UK hosted the first Diversity Equity and Inclusion focused event of the year.

In her talk, From Intent to Impact: Designing for Everyone, Natasha Trotman explored how inclusive and neurodiverse design can transform the built environment when we shift from intent to actionable impact. She unpacked key terminology around neurodiversity and neurodivergence, highlighted the differences between medical, charity, and social models of disability, and emphasised how co-production and intersectionality can foster truly inclusive design outcomes.

Some of the key takeaways included:

• Understanding that diversity of minds is the norm, not the exception — there is no one “standard” brain.

• The importance of moving beyond compliance to embed inclusion throughout the design lifecycle — from briefing to facilities management.

• Applying neuroinclusive principles such as sensory zoning, multisensory wayfinding, and quiet restorative spaces.

• Recognising the power of “Nothing About Us Without Us” — engaging people with lived experience as co-producers, not just participants.

• Taking practical steps such as sensory audits, inclusive design review panels, and reflective practice to move from awareness to sustained impact.

We thank Natasha Trotman for speaking with the chapter and the attendees for their thoughtful engagement throughout the session. It was truly inspiring to see such a mix of perspectives and reflections from across our community. We also want to thank everyone who contributed to the Mentimeter poll. Your input will help us shape the themes and direction of our upcoming DEI sessions.

Our next DEI event will take place in the new year — please keep an eye out and follow AIA UK on social media for updates and future talks.

Thank you again for being part of this important and evolving conversation.

Written by Lulu Yang, AIA

2025 AIA UK Excellence in Design Awards

Each year the AIA-UK recognises architectural design excellence through our annual Design Awards. This year, as we approach the 30th iteration of our awards, the AIA UK Board decided to reshape them in four fundamental ways.

Firstly, acknowledging that we are run by and for UK members, we focussed recognition on the excellence of architecture built in the UK only; historically our awards recognised architecture built anywhere in the world.

Secondly, we were keen to more explicitly acknowledge the positive roles architectural design plays in what it does for the people and places in which it is built, so we created broader categories that emphasise the importance of architectural design as a positive integrated intervention within larger social, political, economic, environmental, and physical contexts; historically we have used the rather blunt categories of scale and/or typology.

Thirdly, we wanted to acknowledge the breadth of architectural practice today, from the smallest of spatial interventions to the largest of regenerative infrastructure and landscape, and so we opened entries to any scale or type of project designed by an architect; historically our awards recognised only a traditional notion of the singular building.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, acknowledging the vital role of architects in the climate emergency, we continued to ratchet up the base level of environmental sustainability required for entries. We further integrated sustainable approaches and climate impact across both measurable metrics and more holistic approaches as a key criteria for the selection for all winners, valuing both detailed technical approaches, and strategic design decisions to minimise environmental impact and improve the sustainability of projects and their contexts in the broadest possible sense.

To judge this year's awards we were honoured to have the expertise of a fantastic range of jurors: Alison Brooks (Director and Founder of Alison Brooks Architects, and Chair of the Jury), DaeWha Kang (Founder and Director of DaeWha Kang Design), Edoardo Tibuzzi (Design Director, AKT II Engineering), and Ellie Stathaki (Architecture & Environment Director, *Wallpaper Magazine).  The jury convened in-person in April to review a diverse range of projects from across the four nations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, ranging from a tiny isolated picnic lodge, and single family home renovations in suburbia, to new corporate headquarters, vast science laboratories, major infrastructure projects, and pretty much everything in between.  

Taking advantage of the renewed criteria, the jurors firstly rigorously narrowed the entrants down by design excellence in their various contexts.  From this selection of projects they collectively decided to award projects in the following categories: 

• 'Beyond The Brief', recognising the project that went far beyond the original brief to create something especially impactful for its contexts: 

• 'Outstanding Conservation Project': recognising the importance of architectural design in carefully and thoughtfully restoring historic projects to be conceptually honest to the original structure whilst also bringing the structure up to current building standards, especially around accessibility and energy performance.

• 'Outstanding Small Project': recognising the power of architectural design to transform the daily lives of its users in highly constrained sites and contexts

• 'Innovation & Beauty': the project that exemplified particular innovation in architectural design to create moments of beauty in contexts where design is not commonly present or deemed necessary

• 'Outstanding Place to Commute’: recognising the fundamental role of design in our transitory spaces and transport infrastructure, to move us not only physically but also emotionally too, creating spaces of movement between places and spaces comfortable, practical, durable, and uplifting. 

• 'Outstanding Adaptive Reuse': recognising the vital importance of reusing existing structures not only to preserve contexts and reduce our environmental impact, but also to give new life to places in meaningful and contextually relevant ways through the act of adaptive reuse.

On a pleasant Spring evening in April we hosted our Design Awards Gala Summer Party at Denys Lasdun's brutalist masterpiece of the Royal College of Physicians on Regent's Park. Our members were delighted to be joined by many colleagues and friends from the RIBA, allied professions, and the media. After fine canapes and free-flowing drinks in the gardens, accompanied by the performances of two exceptional classical musicians from the Royal College of Music, the awards were presented to the following winners:

• 'Beyond The Brief': Walters & Cohen Architects for Godolphin & Latymer School's Dining, Library and Sixth Form Centre, London, England

• 'Outstanding Conservation Project': Moxon Architects for the restoration of Queen Victoria's Picnic Lodge, Balmoral, Scotland

• 'Outstanding Small Project': ConForm Architects for the Terzetto Apartment, London, England

• 'Innovation & Beauty': Tonkin Liu for the Tower of Light, Manchester, England

• 'Outstanding Place to Commute': Grimshaw Architects for the Elizabeth Line site-wide design, London, England

• 'Outstanding Adaptive Reuse': Allford Hall Monaghan Morris for their design and masterplanning roles at Norton Folgate, London, England

(The jurors' comments on the winners can be found on our Design Awards 2025 website page)

Following the awards ceremony, the party continued in the Royal College and its gardens.   

Ultimately our 2025 Excellence in Design Awards were a communal coming together to reassert the vital importance of architects and thoughtful architectural design to improve the world in which we all share.  They were a celebration of UK design work across scales and typologies that actively engages with its various contexts and communities as sustainably as possible to positively impact how we live, work, rest, and play everyday, and so help to shape a better world for all.

Our Design Awards are the result of the hard work of many people for many months behind the scenes. We would like to express particular thanks to: our jurors for their dedication, time, and commitment; all the entrants for their time and effort in applying; the Royal College of Physicians for hosting us and providing excellent canapes and drinks; the AIA Board for all their input, help, and logistical support - especially our Vice President Adelina Kolkeva, President Mark E Breeze, Sponsorship Directors Michael Lischer and David Martin, Social Media Director Fiona Edwards, Graphics Director Jamar Rock, and our Chapter Executive Genie Khmelnitski; and lastly, and very importantly, our generous ongoing headline sponsor for the event, Iris Ceramica Group, who have continued to comprehensively and generously support our Design Awards, making it a key signature event in the year.

2025 BIKE & SKETCH TOUR / Walton-on-Thames to Richmond

Relaxing at Hampton Court. Photo Credit: S Nalin

Lunch at Hampton Court An AIA UK Bike Tour is not all hard riding, sweat and tears.  Sometimes there are breaks for contemplation and enjoyment of the British countryside.  Saturday, 28 Jun 2025 proved to be one of the hottest days of the year  (to date!) and the shady environs of Hampton Court offered the riders a chance to contemplate, catch their breath, have lunch, cool down and – yes - sketch.  Lest we forget, the Bike Tour is also a Sketch Tour, and sketching can be relaxing.

Hampton Court in Full Glory.  Photo Credit: B O’Looney

Souvenirs of the Day.  Sketch Credits (Left to Right): B O’Looney, G Fonseca,  M Yao

Back to the Start at Walton-on-Thames  Admittedly, this year’s Bike & Sketch Tour was not all that arduous.  It started under the guidance of AIA UK’s favourite guide Benedict O’Looney ARB in Walton-on-Thames with a long downhill ride from the train station to the Thames path. From there to Richmond was flat and easy.  It was only the weather that proved difficult and discouraged at least two other potential riders on the day.   

Walton-on-Thames – like other small English towns - has its share of obscure historical stories to tell.  It is claimed – for example - that Julius Caesar forded the River Thames at Walton on his 2nd invasion of Britain; it is known that Canaletto painted the 1st of 6 Walton Bridges in 1754; and it is documented that the 1st ever baseball game was played nearby in 1749.  

Not being able to pursue such stories in person, the Bike & Sketch Tour made its first major stop at a prominent – and very down to earth - heritage site.  Walton’s St Mary’s Parish Church is a largely 12th century structure that also contains relics of  Saxon material and significant later additions.  O’Looney explained the complex history of the church in his usual exquisite detail.  

In particular, he was able to highlight an unexpected treat – the superlative 18th century Boyle Monument by Louis-Francois Roubiliac, a French sculpture who worked in England.  Roubiliac is described in Wikipedia as ‘probably the most accomplished sculpture ever to work in England’ – an epitaph that is hard to ignore.

Exploring St Mary’s in Walton on Thames, Including the Boubiliac’s Monument. Photo Credits (Clockwise from Top Left): L King, B O’Looney, G Fonseca, B O’Looney

Along the Thames Path to Hampton Court  After a search for suitable access to the Thames Path, the riverside ride began in earnest with a chance to enjoy the gentle ambience of river life – pubs and marinas; kayakers and paddle boarders; locks and weirs; bridges and footpaths - the accumulated dynamics of upstream Thames. 

Thames Life.  Photo Credits (Clockwise from Top Left): E Fitzpatrick, G Fonseca, E Fitzpatrick

As well as his detailed knowledge of ecclesiastical architecture, O’Looney also instils his tours with the economic, social and environmental history found along the way.   

For example, Platt’s Eyot seen across a river filled with expensive looking pleasure boats proved to have been an important ship building centre when the Thames was more than just a recreational diversion.  In 1904, John Thornycroft set up the Hampton Launch Works on the island where small naval craft and torpedo boats were built during both World Wars.  Abandoned since the 1960s, the last remaining factory shed is now sadly decrepit and unlikely ever to be listed.

Platt’s Eyot and the Thorneycroft Works. Photo Credit: S Nalin

After Lunch, Hampton Court Close Up The Thames path from Hampton Court to Kingston held more architectural treasurers, not least of which were the chimney laden rooflines and the back gate to the palace gardens.   

Looking Closely at Hampton Court. Photo Credit: B O’Looney and G Fonseca

Meandering Through the Richmond Throngs  After Kingston and a quick stop to admire Teddington Lock, the tour continued to Richmond.  The Richmond River Terrace – usually filled with boisterous crowds against a backdrop of Quinlan Terry’s faux classical buildings  – was a desert of parched grass.  The weather was not just hot; it also produced a near desert in SW London.  Instead of  sitting on the scraggly dunes, the crowds promenaded on the Thames Path.  It took skill and courage to manoeuvre bikes safely around the walkers, up the hill, through the traffic to the final destination – Richmond Station.

Richmond Station  Although Hampton Court was admittedly a hard act to follow, the renovation of Richmond Station proved the highlight of the Bike & Sketch Tour, given that t O’Looney’s firm – Benedict O’Looney Architects -  was the renovation architect on behalf of South Western Railway and the Railway Heritage Trust.  As tour guide, O’Looney was able to describe his own project in intimate detail.  

Since his work on the Peckham Rye Station (see HERE), O’Looney’s reputation for meticulous historic research and detailing has soared.  The art deco façade and – where possible - parts of the booking hall are now being restored to their former glory.   Particular attention has been placed on the signage as well as the design and manufacture of a replacement for the front canopy.

Details of the restoration work can be found HERE.

Richmond Station Gets a Facelift.  Photo Credits: G Fonseca and L King

This year’s Bike & Sketch Tour was organised by Etain Fitzpatrick AIA RIBA and earned the participants 5 continuing education credits.  Due to safety concerns, participation in AIA UK Bike Tour can be restricted.  If you are interested in next year’s tour, it is a good idea to book early.

Written by Lorraine King AIA