A free, hands-on day of architecture and the built environment for 16+ — studio tours, workshops, careers and more at the RCA. Sat 10 Oct.
Saturday · 16+ — Festival of the Future 2026
Saturday is our open day — a free, hands-on celebration of architecture and the wider built environment for anyone aged 16 and over.
Step inside working studios, get your hands on real materials, sit in on live talks and get honest careers advice from architects, engineers, designers and the people who do this for a living. Whether you're studying A-level or BTEC, at university, fresh out of a degree, thinking about a change of direction, or simply curious about how our cities get made — this day is built for you.
Taking part on Saturday: Foster + Partners (studio tour, practice talk & portfolio clinic), HTA, Hawkins\Brown + Build the Way, London School of Architecture, HomeGrown Plus, Mass Collective, the RIBA Youth Forum, (to)scale, Tibbalds and RCA Collectives — with studio tours, workshops, photography, wearable architecture and real talk about the many routes into the profession.
Part of Festival of the Future 2026 — see the full programme at https://www.beyondtheboxcic.com/festival-of-the-future-2026
The festival closes with our evening panel, Designing Better Futures: People. Place. Culture. — open to everyone and booked separately.
Who it's for: anyone aged 16+ — A-level and BTEC students, university students, recent graduates, career-changers and the simply curious.
When: Saturday 10 October 2026, 10am–5.30pm (please arrive for 9.45am). Evening panel from 6.30pm (separate booking).
Where: Royal College of Art, Battersea — Studio Building, Howie Street, London SW11 4AY (///shirts.mirror.pitch).
Cost: Free — book your place. Some sessions have limited spaces, so arrive early to make the most of the day.
Good to know: everyone gets a wristband for the day; bring food and a refillable water bottle (water stations throughout); step-free access and accessible toilets throughout; no parking on site — please travel by public transport (nearest bus stop Battersea Bridge / Hester Road: 19, 49, 170, 319, 345; nearest Tube Battersea Power Station).
When you book, we'll ask for: your age group · any access, BSL or dietary needs · which best describes you (school/college, university, recent graduate, working, other) · how you heard about us · marketing opt-in.
Brought to you by Beyond the Box. Creating Equity by Design. Official media partner: Dezeen.
Good to know
Highlights
- 7 hours 30 minutes
- In person
Location
Howie Street
Howie Street
London SW11 4AY
How do you want to get there?
