engineering.
AKT II recently took part in London Creates, an exhibition celebrating creativity across design, architecture and the built environment.
Situated within the exhibition, the AKT II space brought together a selection of projects and research that reflect the breadth of the practice’s work, from major educational, cultural and civic developments to experimental installations and material-led investigations. The display explored how engineering can support innovation and collaboration across a wide range of contexts and scales.
“London Creates has been a celebration of innovation, creativity and collaboration across disciplines. Taking part has reinforced the value of challenging conventional thinking, embraced continuous learning and worked across diverse perspectives. The most impactful ideas emerge when people from different backgrounds come together around a shared vision.”
A key feature of the exhibition was the collaboration space shared with ZHA Architects. Designed as an area for discussion and exchange, the space encouraged visitors to engage with ideas around interdisciplinary design, innovation and the future of the built environment. Throughout the exhibition, it provided a setting for conversations between practitioners, collaborators and visitors.
Beyond the conversations, the exhibition highlighted a collection of projects that demonstrate how engineering can support learning, exchange, culture and community, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre at the University of Oxford, Liverpool School of Architecture, Noida International Airport, Google Hyderabad, Ismaili Centre Houston and Humanise Wall, the centrepiece installation for the 5th Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism. Together, the projects demonstrated how engineering contributes to creating places for learning, exchange, culture and community.
Alongside these projects, visitors were invited to explore AKT II’s Material Corner, a collection of models, prototypes, samples and research pieces examining new approaches to materials, fabrication and construction. The display included A Brick for Venice, created using dredged sediment from the Venetian canals; Crinkle-Crankle Concrete, which explores opportunities to reduce material use in concrete construction; Khudi Bari, a lightweight deployable housing system; 3D-printed metal components; Al Musalla, which reimagines date-palm waste as a construction material; and a selection of low-carbon material explorations developed through collaborative research.
The collaboration space also hosted a series of speaker sessions. AKT II’s Edoardo Tibuzzi joined Ricardo Sosa-Mejia from Heatherwick Studio to discuss Humanise Wall, exploring the project’s journey from concept to construction and reflecting on the role of architecture and engineering in creating more engaging, human-centred cities. Additional discussions considered the design and delivery of temporary structures, including insights into projects developed for Burning Man.
“A terrific event to be part of, bringing together design, art, engineering, but most of all thinkers, makers, can do-ers. Powered up by the creative force of London, a city that once again proves that ideas are better when blending different point of views, traditions and experiences.”
London Creates provided an opportunity to share projects, research and ideas with a wider audience while celebrating the collaborative nature of design. Bringing together built work, material experimentation and open conversation, the exhibition highlighted a shared belief that meaningful innovation emerges through curiosity, partnership and the exchange of ideas.
Thank you to London Creates, our collaborators, contributors and everyone who visited the exhibition and participated in the programme of discussions.
Collaborators: Archisource, Hopkins Architects, Heatherwick Studio, Grimshaw, Urban Radicals, EAST Architecture Studio, PLAY Architecture, WilkinsonEyre, Nordic Office of Architecture Norway, Haptic Architects, Farshid Moussavi Architecture, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Marina Tabassum, O’Donnell + Tuomey, European Cultural Centre Italy, Local Works Studio, London Design Festival, Seratech, Byrne Bros, Royal Academy of Arts, AI Build, Little Hampton Welding, Tyrens AB, Fosters and Partners, Chalmers Uni of Tech, Diriyah Biennale Foundation, Ministry of Culture Saudi Arabia, Angus Thompson, Asthma and Lung UK and Stanhope.
