The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) is back for a month-long celebration of architecture and city-making in June 2026. With activity happening across London, the Festival will once again be a platform for conversation and testing new ideas.
Kensington is blessed with a diverse population with varying levels of affluence. They are drawn from all corners of the globe, bringing their culture, creativity, cuisine and energy. We want to celebrate the richness of these experiences as well as the biodiversity of our green spaces – people and plants living in harmony. The installations will consider the festival theme of “Belonging” – creating seating for humans and shelter for minibeasts. “Rooted in Kensington” brings together art, biodiversity and architecture to showcase Kensington as an ecosystem of Belonging — one that thrives on the connections between human and non-human, nature and culture, the visible and the invisible.
Art – Tree Island
Tree Island is a sculptural public installation by Toy Studio and artist MAMIMU in partnership with Opportunity Kensington. Located on Phillimore Walk,
the project reimagines the symbolic “missing tree” through seating, planting and sculptural signage inspired by underground ecological networks and urban biodiversity.
From soil to gut to community, diversity is essential for wellbeing. Minibeasts, plants, bacteria, and people all play equally important roles. And what sustains all living things is the microbiome. Our artwork draws inspiration from this microscopic life.
The colours are drawn from Kensington’s rich heritage and culture: the cobalt blue of Leighton House’s Arab Hall, the velvet red of the Royal Albert Hall, the psychedelic hues of Biba, and the pink cherry blossoms of Kyoto Gardens, Holland Park.
Architecture
We celebrate the built environment along the High Street with our popular audio tours. Starting at High Street Ken station, they either take you East towards Kensington Palace or West towards the Design Museum.
You can listen in at your own pace, to learn more about the architecture and residents that make this space so special.
Biodiversity
Our Pollinator Pathmaker DIY edition is an artwork by Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg for pollinators, planted and cared for by humans. Designed to encourage visitors to consider the importance of pollinators and biodiversity within urban life, Rooted in Kensington will include public seating, planting and ecological storytelling, creating spaces for gathering, reflection and inter-species coexistence.
With thanks to Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for their support, MAMIMU for the artwork, Toy Studio for the reclaimed wood installation, Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg for the Pollinator Pathmaker, our volunteers for the planting and London Festival of Architecture. With curatorial and production support from Vestalia Chilton.
Tree Island is also a key feature of the annual Kensington + Chelsea Art Week (KCAW) as part of the Boroughwide KCAW Public Art Trail.
Find out more here.
JUNE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY…
6 June – Botanical Market 10.30 – 4.30
27 June – Vintage market with a World Cup theme 11.00 kick off
30 June – 5.30 – 9pm – Urban Serendipity Lecture – what brings vibe to a place?
