The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) and Architecture LGBT+ have announced a design competition for a float to represent architecture and LGBT+ architects at Pride in London and Manchester Pride. Now in its second year, the project celebrates the diversity of the architecture sector, and offers opportunities for architecture students, recent graduates, emerging practices as well as staff in more established firms.
The winning design team will be commissioned to design and deliver the float for the Pride in London parade on 6 July 2019. There is an estimated £8,000 budget for design and delivery, with Sir Robert McAlpine managing the float build and providing a flatbed truck for it to sit upon.
The competition will be judged by a panel of judges including:
- Anne Cosentino (equality, diversity and inclusion manager, RIBA)
- Evan Davis (broadcaster and presenter)
- Tom Guy (founder, Architecture LGBT+)
- Sarah Habershon (architect, Hawkins\Brown)
- Tamsie Thomson (director, London Festival of Architecture)
- Rob Wilson (architecture editor, Architects’ Journal)
- Sir Robert McAlpine representative
Architecture LGBT+ was launched during the London Festival of Architecture in 2016 to provide a safe, inclusive and prejudice-free environment for LGBT+ architects and those working and studying within the profession through networking events, learning, mentoring and role models. Architecture LGBT+ is supported by the architecture profession, including platinum sponsors Foster + Partners.
The competition is an important element in the London Festival of Architecture 2019 season as the festival explores ‘boundaries’. The London Festival of Architecture is committed to promoting equality and diversity in the architecture and wider built environment professions, and in 2016 supported the launch of Architecture LGBT+ with a Pride Breakfast at the RIBA, before working with Architecture LGBT+ to commission the inaugural Architectural Pride float in 2018: one of the highlights of the 2018 LFA season. The festival is deeply committed to promoting diversity within the architecture profession and, alongside other initiatives including the ‘See the Elephant’ campaign, the Architectural Pride float is intended to empower individuals and organisations to transcend boundaries in the built environment professions.
The deadline for submissions is midday on 10 June 2019. Further information for entrants is available at www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org
Tamsie Thomson, director of the London Festival of Architecture, said:
“I’m very happy to see the Architectural Pride float making a return for 2019. The London Festival of Architecture is committed to celebrating diversity and tackling discrimination within the built environment professions, and this project is a great way to do so while giving creative opportunities to architects and designers. The Architectural Pride float demonstrates our determination to overcome boundaries facing our profession, and I’m delighted that we’ll be taking that message to the streets of London once again in 2019.”
Tom Guy, founder of Architecture LGBT+ said:
“We are excited to be collaborating with the RIBA and LFA for our Pride Breakfast and for the return of the float competition for the parade this year. The competition is a fantastic opportunity for architecture practices to really show their commitment to diversity and showcase their creativity. As our network grows around the UK we also plan to take the float to Manchester Pride.”
Charlotte Sword, senior partner and head of HR at Foster + Partners, said:
“Foster + Partners is proud to be the platinum sponsor of the Architecture LGBT+ network. We recognise the importance of creating a visible platform to encourage inclusivity and celebrate diversity within the architectural community and the construction industry, supported by our own LGBT+ Group at the practice providing a supportive, safe and confidential space to socialise and share experiences. We look forward to the outcome of this year’s Architectural Pride float competition, kickstarting this year’s Pride celebrations in London and Manchester.”