Festival of the Future

Project
Festival of the Future

Team
RIBA, Open City's Accelerate Programme, Black Females in Architecture, PoOR Collective, Thornton Education Trust, Matt + Fiona, :toscale, EarthWorks, HomeGrown Plus, Build the Way CIC, DisOrdinary Architecture, Archimake, London School of Architecture, London Neighbourhood Scholarship Trust.

Location
Central London - Westminister

Press
The Built-Environment Belongs to Everyone

2,000 Young People, One Mission

Beyond the Box proudly presents the Festival of the Future, a pioneering two-day event that brought together leading industry innovators, designers, and change-makers to inspire the next generation.

In collaboration with RIBA and some of the most forward-thinking organisations in architecture, design, and the built environment, this festival is more than just an event—it’s a movement to reshape how young people engage with the future of our cities and spaces, as both users and future designers.

With hands-on workshops, immersive experiences, and thought-provoking discussions, the Festival of the Future engaged over 2,000 young people from across the UK, equipping them with the tools, networks, and inspiration to drive real change.

The festival brought together over 20 partner organisations to deliver a wide-ranging programme of events and experiences for all ages across two inspiring days. From hands-on model-making workshops and explorations into the role of AI in architecture, to sessions focused on designing cities for women and girls, the programme invited participants to reimagine the future of our built environment through creativity and collaboration.

Pop-up pavilions and live installations transformed the space, while young people shared powerful manifestos for the future of their cities. Whether through making, debating, building or imagining, the festival offered countless ways to engage with architecture in new and accessible ways.

Experience the Energy

Step into the heart of a groundbreaking two-day festival that brought together over 2,000 young people from across the UK. This powerful film captures the energy, creativity, and voices of the next generation as they reimagine the future of our cities, spaces, and communities. This isn’t just a festival—it’s a movement.

Watch the film and be part of the change.

Redefining the Future

Young people from across the country traveled to be part of the Festival of the Future—a space where ideas, creativity, and innovation collide. Over two inspiring days, we activated the RIBA headquarters in central London, transforming it into a dynamic hub of exploration, learning, and collaboration.

We engaged with primary school children, students, and young professionals, creating opportunities for every stage of the journey—from first sparks of curiosity to real-world career pathways. Through hands-on workshops, interactive installations, and thought-provoking talks, participants gained insight, skills, and the confidence to shape the future of our built environment.

This festival wasn’t just about attending—it was about doing, making, and creating. The energy was electric, the conversations were bold, and the impact will continue to ripple through communities long after the event.

“The Festival of the Future was an amazing event. I loved seeing young people occupying RIBA’s building. It was fun to walk down the stairs and see different types of young people figuring out which workshop they wanted to go to. Overall, the educational approach to architecture was really inspiring and set the tone for future events. It is important for me to reframe and learn what it means to work in the built environment, broadening the social role of an architect or a designer. Beyond the Box and the other partners at the event are truly reflecting sustainable thinking about the future of diverse cities. Their practices and values are very telling. I was really happy I could be amongst them and the festival as a whole”.

— Olivia Benjamin-MacDonald. participating student