Some of the talented team members from the Woods Bagot London studio, collaborating at the inaugural RIBA Festival of the Future to inspire the next generation of designers and architects.
Woods Bagot was proud to sponsor and contribute to the inaugural RIBA Festival of the Future, held on March 14th – 15th, 2025, at RIBA’s headquarters in London. The groundbreaking two-day event marked a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at inspiring children, young people, and adults to explore creative career pathways into the built environment.
Welcoming over 2,000 visitors and featuring contributions from more than 20 organisations, the festival offered a vibrant mix of hands-on activities, talks, and workshops that opened new ways of thinking about design, architecture, and the spaces we inhabit.
As part of its involvement, Woods Bagot delivered a compelling presentation “Designing for Learning: Collaborative Spaces That Inspire”. The session was led by James Taylor, Principal & London Studio Chair, Julian Cross, Principal and Europe Design Lead, and Yin Hui Chung, Associate at Woods Bagot, who highlighted the practice’s work across educational and cultural spaces, delving into the design processes behind St Mary’s Calne School Library and 85 Gracechurch Street.
Central to this discussion was the idea of co-creation. Working closely with learners and users to create inclusive, inspiring spaces that promote curiosity, collaboration, and a sense of belonging. The presentation drew a diverse and engaged audience, sparking thoughtful dialogue around how design shapes our everyday experiences and the wider built environment.
Adding a playful and imaginative element to the festival, Woods Bagot also led a hands-on workshop “Dream Designs: Circular Straw Cities”. This interactive session invited children and young people to imagine adaptable, sustainable urban futures using modular and recyclable materials.
Woods Bagot’s participation in the Festival of the Future underscores the practices’ long-standing commitment to education, social impact, and nurturing the next generation of place makers.
Reflecting on the experience, Yin Hui Chung, who led the initiative, shared her thoughts on the festivals impact and the importance of engaging young minds in architecture and design:
“The Festival of the Future was a meaningful opportunity to engage with young people and share what architecture is really about. At Woods Bagot, we believe learning happens through dialogue – through models, conversations, and shared experiences.
This festival gave us the opportunity to pass that spirit on, to engage with young people and show that architecture is not just about buildings, but about ideas, empathy, and transformation. We value diverse perspectives and are always learning from people, places, and the world around us – because that’s what drives real innovation.
The future of the built environment depends on curiosity, collaboration, and fresh thinking. Being part of this festival was one way we could help inspire the next generation of place-makers.”
Image credits: Luke O’Donovan & Patrick Dempsey
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