With the Stirling Prize Shortlist announced, and the NLA Awards presented, there is an air of celebration of achievement in the design world. This week’s events are packed full of opportunities to understand and celebrate award winning architecture and investigate the design which surrounds us as we move through the city.

Check Back regularly to keep up to date with London's latest happenings and our weekly recommendations!

Sadiq Khan Cycling Summit at the NLA | August 3

Image: NLA

Reflecting the increasing number of cyclists in our city, as Sadiq Khan took up position of Mayor, he promised to ‘make London a byword for cycling around the world’. At this conference, plans to make the city safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists will be showcased. Hearing from the Deputy Mayor for Transport, attendees will also hear of the current state of travel in the city as well as future plans. Discussing Cycle Super Highways, CLOCS and ‘Mini-Hollands’, the speakers include policy makers, borough representatives, and planning experts, in this interesting half-day conference. 

Walking Tour of Hackney | August 4

Image: Space studios

Urban Geologist Ruth Siddall and Multi-Disciplinary Artist Josh Bilton team up for this walking tour of Hackney. In reaction to Bilton's Undersong commission at SPACE, this tour will explore not only the physical geology and preconceptions of London's use of Portland stone, by the route of 'Cairns'.

With over 20 years of teaching experience at UCL, Siddall's research interests lie in the cultural heritage surrounding geology. This walk promises to be as fascinating as it is educational.

Bow Arts | August 4

Image: Bow Arts

Bow Arts is an Arts Education Charity based in Bow, East London, who focus on supporting the community renewal in the area through Arts and Creative Services. Established in 1994, the Trust has grown to build its presence throughout East London and its current residence, the Nunnery Gallery. They also run an award winning schools education program with the support of Arts Council England. Throughout the Bow area, the charity manages a Live-Work scheme for community-focused artists. They also provide affordable studios, which would be otherwise unattainable within the central location.

This evening event gives a chance to visit the Nunnery Gallery and to see the Bow Open Show, which showcases these very artists - celebrating the innovative work of the makers and artists who work in Bow Arts buildings over the area. The evening is free to attend, with cocktails and snacks on offer from the neighbouring Carmelite Café (highly revered in its own right!).

NLA Breakfast Talk – Peter Barber | August 5

Image: Peter Barber Architects

The NLA are hosting a breakfast talk celebrating and exploring a few of the "exceptional winning schemes" of this year's New London Awards. Presenting the designs from Peter Barber Architects, is Director, Peter Barber, who will discuss fantastic designs including Holmes Road Studios, a new facility which provides residential and counselling facilities for the homeless. These double height brick studios have been applauded for their domestic approachability and innovative approach to their brief. Other designs to be discussed include the Employment Academy scheme which is a courtyard design, which provides training for those seeking employment, and Mount Pleasant Studios, a sheltered housing project which pays particular attention on the fundamental vulnerability of homeless people.

This talk provides an opportunity to understand at 3 of the 26 award winners this year, which were selected from a shortlist of 136 projects from across London.

UCL curation | August 5

Image: UCL Art Museum

UCL Art Museum is giving the public an extraordinary chance to get hands-on experience in exhibition curation. This opportunity allows partakers to see some fantastic works from the collection; from Turner to Rembrandt, whilst learning what it takes to curate.

The collections at the UCL Art Museum contain over 10,000 objects from sculptures to paintings, dating back as far as 1490. These items include gifts to the University as well as prize-winning student work from 1890 to the present day. This massive range is what makes this museum, and this opportunity to learn about its curation, unique.

RIBA + Magnetic North | August 9

Image: McCoy Wynne

The RIBA and The Magnetic North are joining forces for a one-off evening of live music, film, literature and design to complement the 'At Home in Britain' exhibition, which is currently on show at the RIBA. The full band will include strings and woodwind instruments, and will be showcasing their new short film. 'The Prospect of Skelmersdale', The Magnetic North's new album, investigates themes of Utopian Post-War architectural design. Other guests for the evening include acclaimed writers Laura Barton, Amy Liptrot, and John Grindrod. Those who have read Concretopia, Grindrod's facinating book on the New Towns of Britain, will recognise the similarities running through this line up.

This evening promises to be a fascinating insight into post-war planning, the dreams of the people and the outcomes.

Also keep track of our weekly event picks for New York City and Los Angeles.

Have an event you want to submit? Send it to Bustler for review here.