A triumph of post-war British architecture, a perfect summer’s evening, panoramic views of London’s skyline, and friends and supporters of the London School of Architecture. Caro was delighted to facilitate this supper party hosted by LSA Director, Will Hunter, to celebrate another successful year for the innovative school forging brave new futures in architecture.

The event was held on the 14th floor of the newly renamed Smithson Tower, part of the first phase renovations of Alison and Peter Smithson’s seminal Economist Plaza complex. ‘The Smithsons were inextricably connected with architectural education,’ explained Deborah Saunt of DSDHA, ‘and are still an influence on education today, so this is a very fitting location to celebrate the LSA.’

Saunt’s practice was appointed by building owner Tishman Speyer in 2016 to create a masterplan framework to safeguard the future of the Grade II* Plaza complex. Its significance is founded not only on the individual qualities of its three inherently flexible, brutalist buildings but on its contribution to the urban environment.

‘The city is our campus,’ said Hunter, of the LSA’s new networked model of education, where architecture masters students earn while they learn, and academia is reunited with industry through the school’s network of 100 London practices. ‘We set a new vision for an architecture school when we opened: we want people living in cities to experience more fulfilled and sustainable lives, and we want to educate future leaders who can offer visionary leadership for our buildings and cities.’

Hear, hear, say Caro!

The supper was kindly supported by Clippings, with special thanks to Atrium Ltd. and Bottega.

In collaboration with Daniel Gava.