Festival of The Future

The Festival of the Future invites you to explore, create, and imagine your future in the built environment. Bringing together 20+ partners over two days to inspire the next generation of city makers through a creative and practical programme for those from all backgrounds.

Children, young people, and adults can pick from workshops on AI in architecture, talks on preparing for post study and industry debates on Friday, to carpentry workshops, group design tasks, and family storytelling on Saturday.

Careers, funding, and work experience support providers will also host events to help you explore different routes to becoming an architect, whether choosing your GCSE’s, preparing for university with A-levels or BTECs, or getting ready to graduate.

Plus, there are events for those interested in how you can engage with future generations wanting to work in the built environment.

All events are free, but you must register online beforehand.

Some events may run a waiting list depending on demand.

Building a New World

Drop-in handling session for all ages with the Built Environment Trust

Can we build in more sustainable materials? Explore biobased and recycled building materials that questions the future of traditional materials which creates vast amount of waste and uses the planets limited natural resources.

11am to 4pm

Difficult Sites: Architecture Against the Odds

Exhibition talks and tours by RIBA Public Programmes Team and VPPr

Visitors of all ages can learn how architects have created the most extraordinary architecture in the most extreme circumstances.
10am to 5pm

RIBA Baby: Songs and Stories

An interactive story session by RIBA Learning

Come on a learning adventure in architecture for under 3’s and see what you find out through the magic of song, dance and stories. Join us for a special edition of RIBA Baby for The Festival of the Future. A session combining music, storytelling and architecture, led by storyteller and musician Paul Rubinstein.

10am to 11am

RIBA Family: Songs and Stories

An interactive story session by RIBA Learning

Come on an adventure in architecture for the whole family and see what you can learn through the magic of song, dance and stories. Join us for an interactive session combining music, storytelling and architecture, with storyteller and musician Paul Rubinstein.

11.30am to 12.30pm

Pop-Up Pavilion

Drop-In practical design workshop by Archimake

Children and young people aged five plus can test their design and making skills by building large scale shelters inspired by Serpentine pavilions

11am to 4pm

Dream Designs

Drop-in practical workshop by Woods Bagot

Children and young people aged five plus can envision and build their dream projects from libraries to theme parks, no project is too ambitious!

11am to 4pm

Discover Your City Superhero Powers!

Practical workshop by the Thornton Education Trust

Calling All Urban Explorers to discover how cities are like giant puzzles waiting to be solved. Children can enjoy creating awesome ideas to make their neighbourhood more enjoyable. (7-12 year olds)

11am to 4pm

Sitting Together

Practical building workshop by the London School of Architecture

Young people aged 13 plus can test their carpentry and collaboration skills by working in teams to build their own furniture

11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm

Taking Up Space: Shaping Cultural Spaces Through Co-design

How to co-design in shaping our cultural spaces by Beyond the Box

Young people aged 12 –to- 25 can explore their role in shaping London’s spaces
11am to 1pm, 2pm to 4pm - People's Pavilion

Sustainable Futures

A collaborative build by Poor Collective

16- to 25-year-olds can explore topics including climate change, social equity, mental health, and community solidarity to create an exhibition using recycled materials.

11am to 4pm

Stepping Stones

A work experience programme by RIBA Learning

16- to 18-year-olds can sign up for summer work placements with practices across the UK.

Visitors can also enjoying seeing work created by students who have participated in October and February placements.
11am to 4pm

The Knowledge Exchange

Drop-in advice surgery by leading industry professionals

Young people and architecture students can come and meet industry leaders to find out about opportunities to get involved in the shaping of the built environment and to get advice on the benefits of mentoring.

11am to 4pm

AHMM Summer School: collaborative drawing

A drop-in practical workshop for 16 to 18 year olds

Come and make a collaborative drawing using memory and place. The session will be led by alumni from AHMM’s amazing annual summer school and you will also find out what it would be like to participate this year.

12noon to 2pm

Accelerate Debates

A panel discussion by Open City

Young people aged 17 plus can come together to discuss the nature of teaching and constructive criticism in architectural education and practice.

4pm to 6pm

The Knowledge Exchange

Drop-in advice surgery by leading industry professionals

Young people and architecture students can come and meet industry leaders to find out about opportunities to get involved in the shaping of the built environment and to get advice on the benefits of mentoring.

11am to 4pm

Accelerate Debates

A panel discussion by Open City

Young people aged 17 plus can come together to discuss the nature of teaching and constructive criticism in architectural education and practice.

4pm to 6pm

How to deliver creative education

A practical workshop for design professionals, practitioners and students delivering learning activities

A fun, practical session led by Heatherwick studio, sharing tips, stories and ideas of what works (and what hasn't!) in delivering architectural and design focused learning.

12pm to 1pm

Accelerate Debates

A panel discussion by Open City

Young people aged 17 plus can come together to discuss the nature of teaching and constructive criticism in architectural education and practice.

4pm to 6pm

Beyond The Box

Build The Way Internship

Accelerate

POoR Collective

Matt & Fiona

Black Females in Architecture

Archimake

Homegrown Plus

London Neighbourhood Scholarship Programme

:Scale

Thornton Education Trust

London School of Architecture

Future Architects

Heatherwick Studio

Vandersanden

Woods Bagot

Great London Autority

Ealing Council

Allford Hall Monaghan Morris

Free event for all ages - For upcoming learning events, please visit

Free event for families - For upcoming family and children events, please see

Terms and Conditions

• Under 16s must be supervised by an accompanying adult ticket holder at all times.
• We reserve the right to alter the advertised content of events.
• In the unlikely event we need to cancel we will contact all ticket holders as soon as possible. We cannot reimburse or compensate for travel or other associated costs.
• A photographer may attend this event and the images may be used to publicise future RIBA events.
• By accepting an invitation or selecting a ticket you consent to being photographed, filmed or recorded as a visitor attending the event.
• On entry to the event you agree to accept and abide by any venue rules; the RIBA reserves the right to remove participants who behave inappropriately from events.
• The details you provide will be used in accordance with the RIBA's GDPR obligations. For information on how we will handle your personal data please see our Privacy Policy at www.architecture.com.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Royal Institute of British Architects, 66 Portland Place, London, United Kingdom