The Transformative Power of Placemaking

There is a lively debate about the role of architects and architecture today. Responsibility, critical thinking, openness — what should we demand from those who design our cities? Utopian Hours poses this question to IF_DO, an urban design studio based in London and Manchester, currently one of the most intriguing firms in the international architecture scene, particularly for the positive impact their projects have on local communities.

One of their better-known projects is the Brent Cross South Station: an electrical substation transformed into the largest piece of public art in the United Kingdom. This manifesto project has created a vibrant new landmark with a significant impact— a highly symbolic intervention that combines urban beauty, ecology, and a sense of identity. On the stage of Centrale Lavazza will be Sarah Castle, co-founder of the studio.