Modern Architecture, Sustainability and Urban Planning in the UK

Morning

Start your first full day in the UK right. Go on a guided tour of Canary Wharf to gain an insight into the regeneration process of the area. In the 1980s, over half of the Docklands area was derelict. Now, it’s a famous and successful financial hub. Then, it’s time for another perspective, as you head to the Museum of London Docklands to understand the impacts the regeneration had on the local community. Conduct a field study of No. 1 Warehouse, the building that hosts the museum itself. Discover how it began as a store for sugar from the West Indies.

Afternoon

Move from East to Central London for an architectural guided walk. Learn about the history of the capital’s most Instagrammed landmarks and try to complete our Learning Adventure photo scavenger hunt!

Evening

Browse the diverse range of food stalls at Southbank Market, and pick out something new to try. Just a heads up – you’ll probably bump into someone from the London office catching some dinner here!

Morning

You’ll have seen electric scooters, cars and a whole lot of bicycles by now. Discover more about the sustainable side of the city. Pop into the Crystal, one of the world’s most iconic eco-friendly friendly buildings. Browse the exhibition, which uncovers how sustainability can be incorporated into urban planning. Get involved with a curated workshop about major urban trends and the latest tech solutions to create sustainable cities.

Afternoon

Sit back and enjoy the view! After lunch, hop onto the Emirates Air Line, a cable car that takes you over the Thames.

Evening

Take some free time to shop in Covent Garden. It’s now a popular square with loads of shops, historical buildings and street performers, but it used to be a vegetable market!

Morning

Prepare to be amazed on a guided walking tour of London’s skyscrapers in the City of London. Highlights include the Shard, the Gherkin and Tower 42.

Afternoon

Visit the stunning St Dunstan Church. It was destroyed in the 1941 Blitz during WW2, but the City of London decided to turn the ruins into a breath-taking garden. Then, stop off at the Barbican Centre for a detailed architectural tour of this unique building, constructed in the Brutalist style. It was described by Queen Elizabeth as “one of the modern wonders of the world”!

Evening

When the sun starts to go down, people-watch in Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, where the city never sleeps.

Morning

Hit the Building Centre, a hub created by the Architectural Association and used to promote innovation in the urban environment. There, you’ll have a chance to interact with the New London Architecture giant model of the city, which brings to life London’s past and future development. You will be introduced by the staff to the latest development projects, transport hubs and sustainability initiatives. Make time to explore the Building Centre’s Materials Library as well. You’ll learn about a range of different, newly designed sustainable materials.

Afternoon

Visit the British Museum and marvel at the impressive Great Court, the largest covered public square in Europe. Take some free time to explore the museum. Then, go on a tour of the Bloomsbury area. Find out about the great British writers who used to live in the houses.

Evening

All-day breakfast is a thing in Britain. So enjoy a traditional full English breakfast…for dinner!

Morning

Begin the day with an engaging talk and Q&A with an architect or another professional working in an architecture-related field. Prep some questions beforehand – you don’t want to miss out!

Afternoon

Head for Victoria & Albert Museum’s rooms 127 and 128. Here, you’ll find their unparalleled collection of architectural drawings, original models and building fragments from a period of over 2,500 years.

Evening

Take a leisurely evening stroll down Oxford Street, where you’ll have a chance to shop for last-minute souvenirs.

Morning

Return to the Southbank to soak up London’s vibrant cultural district, peppered with historical sites, vendors, street performers and the city’s most famous skateboarding spot. Take in the view of iconic landmarks, like Tower Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe and the Tate Modern. Then, take part in a reflection session and trip debriefing in the Southbank Centre.

Then, it’s home time. But it’s not over. London’s exciting architecture, sustainability and urban planning will follow you back to the classroom…and beyond!