The theme for next year’s London Festival of Architecture 2016, “Community,” will be explored in exhibitions and events that examine the relationship between architecture and developing community. Some of the questions to be addressed include:

How will the enormous changes faced by London’s growth, and the impact of issues such as climate change, technology, the under-supply of housing, and record immigration, affect the way we live and work together?

How will we protect the existing in the face of the new, and build real, cohesive, sustainable places where people can live fulfilling lives, be cared for when they’re older or sick, and inspired when they’re young?”

Explains LFA chairwoman Patricia Brown, “From the whirlwind changes in the demand for new workplaces to the ever-present dilemma of how we build enough homes for our growing, changing population, a fundamental need is the sense of community that these places must nurture. The role of architecture in responding to these issues is a vital and important one, and LFA 2016 will deliver a lively and inspiring debate that can range from the more granular issue of physical growth to the impact of global population shifts wrought by war and climate.”

The yearly architecture festival, running the entire month of June 2016, is now being overseen by Tamsie Thomson, who is taking on the newly created role of director. Thomson, who brings prior experience as RIBA London director, has previously initiated and managed projects like the annual Architecture Open, Open Studios, and Regent Street Shop Windows projects, as well as the Student Mentorship program and the Forgotten Spaces project and exhibition, in addition to teaching architecture at the University of Brighton.

“I am delighted that London Festival of Architecture is to have its own permanent director. This role reflects the increasingly important part the festival plays in the life of our city and its architectural community. Tamsie shares my ambition for the festival and what it can achieve. We could not have a better, more experienced champion for London’s architectural talent,” said Brown.

Shared Thomson, “I am incredibly excited to be given this opportunity to be director of the London Festival of Architecture. Architecture is as much about humanity as it is about function and practical solutions. I think London’s strength as the leading city for nurturing good practice and great design rests with its people as well as its buildings. The LFA offers a really exciting opportunity to highlight this enormous pool of talent and ideas and how they impact on the city underpinning London’s role at the forefront of global architecture.”

An open call for architects, artists, designers and groups to participate in the festival will be announced in January 2016.