As the central theme of the London Festival of Architecture (LFA) in its 2015 edition, “Work in Progress” welcomes a discussion on the changing nature of the workplace and its impact on the city. The Festival, which opened on June 1st, hosts a series of events in both cultural and academic venues. Projects authored by a wide range of designers, from research institutes to corporate practices, invite the public — both local and international — to engage in a conversation about architecture and the city.

The LFA organizers, led by Patricia Brown (Chair), have chosen the theme “Work in Progress” as the guiding thread for the event that brings together participants through both an open call and via direct selection. As London’s commercial industry has evolved, so has the nature of work and the workspace. Inevitably this has shaped London’s development throughout the years: from the intimacy of workplace interiors to the interactive nature of public spaces in the city.

Originally launched in 2004 as the London Architectural Biennale, the Festival is now held annually, hosting over 200 events dotted throughout Central London. Catering to domestic and international audiences, the LFA is not venue-specific and instead focuses on fully engaging the city. Having a digital as well as physical presence further enhances its theme. ARCHade LDN, curated by Michelle Sweeney and run online on Twitter at @ARCHadeLDN, broadcasts the work of 30 emerging architects throughout the duration of the Festival as a way to broaden its all-encompassing nature.

The Festival continues to expand its boundaries, this year by including Ireland as the inaugural Focus Country. In partnership with Irish Design 2015 and the British Council, the LFA has held a series of special events dedicated to promoting Ireland’s design scene. Particularly commendable are the pavilions installed at the Lewis Cubitt Square in King’s Cross, which have hosted additional engagements focused around Irish design.

The London School of Economics is hosting this year’s Theatrum Mundi exhibition, Designing the Urban Commons, which uses London as a site on which to propose innovative methods of communal living. Andy Belfield’s Guardians of the Common, for instance, suggests involving major stakeholders in the process of reclaiming unused urban open spaces. While this is not a trend amongst city dwellers, he claims that it is increasingly becoming part of the architectural discourse in London. On a different line, Commons Economy Generator, by Ludovica Rogers, recognizes the flaws of having a rigid system within a capitalist economy to optimize a digital network of resource sharing. The range of projects selected for Designing the Urban Commons suggests that a new way of understanding collective spaces is rapidly arising throughout London.

The Barbican Centre holds Building a Landmark, an exhibition far smaller in scale and significantly less ambitious. It runs through a brief construction history of the largest hub of Brutalism in London, with original drawings on display alongside photographs of the process. However, whilst it does give an insight into the thinking of post-war redevelopment, it is disappointingly small for those who make a specific trip to see it. For a site of such potential, and given the broad room for exploration of the topic, the exhibition’s connection to the venue feels lackluster.

Public London: 10 Years of Transforming Public Spaces, is currently hosted at The Building Center. The exhibit runs through the recent history of London since Ken Livingstone became the city’s first Mayor in the year 2000. An illustrated timeline shows initiatives that have transformed London in recent years, catering to the needs of an increasingly urban-aware working population. Under Livingstone, World Squares for All and 100 Public Spaces saw the renovation of spaces that now actively engage the community. The way finding system Legible London further emphasized the new status of pedestrians in the city, which then aspired to become “one of the world’s most walking friendly cities by 2015.” Adding to these are Boris Johnson’s (Mayor since 2008) London’s Great Outdoors and All London Green Grid, which have shifted the focus toward placemaking. The movement toward smaller scale interactions such as street parties, along with the rebirth of the High Street evidences an increasingly intimate relationship with the city; one where the focus returns to the direct impact of interior spaces on the collective outdoors.

A city built upon layers of history, London remains at the vanguard of design while preserving its exquisite urban tradition. The LFA altogether succeeds in showcasing the city as a Work in Progress that will continue to reflect changing trends in the nature of work. Events like New London Architecture’s Never Mind the Bollards—a series of hour-long, outdoor lunchtime events at South Crescent on Store Street—embraces the proactive workforce of today by keeping the public engaged through diverse urban experiences. The city’s public face will evolve as commercial forces change, something that the 2015 edition of the Festival addresses at a pivotal point in time.

The London Festival of Architecture runs through the month of June, keeping the audience fully engaged with staggered event openings every week. Worth noting is the Serpentine Pavilion, designed by Spanish architects SelgasCano, open to the public on June 25th and running until October 18th. Also of interest are RIBA London’s Open Studios; the last week of June will have twelve studios across West London host the greater public for talks and exhibitions. Additional details for the event can be found on Bustler.