The very first London Festival of Architecture – then known as the London Architecture Biennale – lasted ten days. With a hyperlocal focus on Clerkenwell and the people in it, the programme sought to illustrate how the past determines the future. The theme of the Biennale was ‘access (intellectual and physical’), with key aims being to provide access to the world of architecture for a range of different audiences and communities, bring together people from the world of architecture to network, share, debate, argue and to profile architecture as an enjoyable, uplifting and relevant part of our lives.
The Festival kicked off with a weekend architectural fair, which saw the greening over of St John Street to create a new village green’ for Clerkenwell, filled with stalls and activities, kids model competitions, architecture books
and prints and a multitude of architectural organisations. The project sought to explore the potential of the area to become a new green, public space. Why Clerkenwell? The venue for the Biennale was the streets, places and spaces of Clerkenwell, providing an opportunity to celebrate the role of Clerkenwell as a leading cultural and creative quarter and reveal the history, stories and industries gathered in this area – creating a unique architectural event.
Other highlights from the first edition of the Festival included The Clerkenwell All Stars exhibition co-curated by Janet Street Porter and Peter Murray – exploring the work of some of the internationally influential architects in the area, Clerkenwell and water – an investigation into the part water has played in Clerkenwell’s history and The Clerkenwell Moving Feast – an opportunity to sampling the food and drink from the best restaurants and bars in the area – from Carluccio’s, to Club Gascon, to St John, to Cicada, to The Well. This sat alongside first ever tours of buildings, pubs, churches and markets, lectures and debates – by leading architects, artists and writers, furniture showrooms showcasing the work of young architects and film screenings of the ‘architectural classics’ The Fountainhead, Bladerunner and Building Sights.
