LFA: Building Voices
‘Reuse, retain, adapt’ they say. But what if the buildings could talk?
Reuse is no longer a niche ambition; it is fast becoming the mainstream response to the climate emergency. Retaining, adapting, and reimagining existing structures is presented not only as technically sensible, but morally and culturally necessary. From housing to high streets, the message is clear: our future lies in working with what we already have.
But what if we could hear from the buildings?
Society Building will open its doors as part of the London Festival of Architecture Studio Lates programme on Thursday 26th June. We invite you to listen to our ‘Building Voices’ podcast and hear from a host of buildings voiced by our cast of ‘Society Building Players.’
Victorian Terraced House
Built in a hurry, still here somehow.
150 and a half, with barely an original piece left.
The 19th Century Northern Warehouse
Too stubborn to die, too heavy to move.
Built from brick, iron, and Northern grit.
Smug 2000s Eco Home
Saving the planet, Patago-House.
Sustainable, self-satisfied, and slightly smug.
Civic Arts Centre
Polished, perfect, and a little pointless.
A masterpiece of design – if you don’t touch anything.
NHS Hospital
Designed to heal, priced to forget.
Twenty-five years, give or take a few rebrands.
High Street Department Store
The last window shopper.
Still here, still grand, still refusing to move online.
1960s Office Block
Concrete dreams, waiting for a second Act.
Born of optimism, clad in practicality, stuck in the middle.