London Festival of Architecture

A programme of cultural activity and events took place across Bromley throughout June 2024 as part of the London Festival of Architecture’s twentieth anniversary celebrations.

The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) partnered with Bromley Council to develop the exciting range of activities for residents to enjoy spanning the entire month, this was the second year that the borough formed a key destination for the festival.

The programme for 2024 was delivered in key areas with the support of Your Bromley BID, Chislehurst Society, Orpington 1st BID and Penge SE20 BID.

Over 60 events took place across five key areas throughout June 2024: Bromley Town Centre, Chislehurst, Orpington, Penge and Biggin Hill, with some further events elsewhere in the borough. This built upon on the previous year’s key destination of Penge and Crystal Palace that hosted a wide range of cultural activity.

Events were developed with local community groups and organisations across the borough, reflecting the distinctiveness of each area. Events embraced the festival theme of ‘Reimagine’ exploring the creativity of each area whilst celebrating Bromley’s rich tapestry of communities and culture.

The festival explored conservation, local heritage and access to green spaces in the area, celebrating local history and pride - via workshops, poetry events, exclusive tours and talks, and family events, with a host of free activities to enjoy.

Highlights from the events that took place across the borough included:

• Architecture in Bromley - From Wren to Art Deco... and beyond: A talk re-imagining the future of Bromley in the context of how architectural styles changed in the past - from the 17th century to the 1930s with a look at what lie in wait for the future.
• Guided High Street Tour: A guided walk along Chislehurst High Street to see the changes in architecture and use over the years, led by local guides.
• Rebuild and Reimagine - Children’s Lego Activity: Family event to learn about an incredible moving building and reimagine in Lego which buildings and places you would move to Biggin Hill - a theme park, a football stadium, a space centre?
• Community Planting Day - Reimagining Orpington Priory’s Sunken Garden: Friends of Orpington Priory & Gardens hosted a community planting day at the Grade II listed gardens.
• Penge Poets: Reimagine: Performances from local poets that showcased various ways they have used their imagination in the service of art. How did architects reimagine what was needed in Penge?
• Beckenham Bandstand: A special look at the newly restored Grade II Listed bandstand where David Bowie famously performed.
• Going Underground - Exploring the Crystal Palace Subway: A guided tour to discover the restoration work that had taken place for the previous two years at the Victorian Crystal Palace Subway.
• Parks for the Future: An Evolutionary Approach to Regeneration: A panel discussion that explored the benefits of flexible landscape approaches in enabling long-term adaptability and resilience in response to natural ecosystems, changing climate.
• A host of special events in Bromley libraries took place across the borough throughout the festival, including a Library Lates event in Bromley Central Library.

Further buildings and spaces that hosted events during the festival included the Crofton Roman Villa, Camden Place, Scadbury Moated Manor and several of the borough’s parks and green spaces.

About London Festival of Architecture:

The London Festival of Architecture is a month-long celebration of architecture and city-making, taking place every June across London. In its twentieth year, LFA’s mission was to open discussions around architecture, test new ideas and promote emerging talent. LFA brings together the public and built environment professionals for the whole month of June and seeks to inspire and engage our audience with a programme that showcases London as a global architecture hub.

The 2024 LFA theme was ‘Reimagine’. While the idea of resetting or restarting is impossible, we find ourselves at a point where we need to reflect, rethink, repair and rebuild - and reimagine.

LFA is run by NLA, London’s built environment community.

Website: londonfestivalofarchitecture.org