007 - Celebrating 20 years of the London Festival of Architecture - with Rosa Rogina
In episode 7 of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin talks place with Rosa Rogina, architect, researcher, curator, and Director of the London Festival of Architecture (LFA).
Rosa’s journey from Croatia to London has been one of creative exploration, professional growth, and passionate engagement with architecture beyond the built form. In this episode, she shares her insights on the evolving meaning of place, the role of festivals in shaping cities, and what’s ahead for the 2025 edition of the LFA, themed Voices.
Keep reading for key takeaways from this rich and reflective conversation.
From Croatia to Curating London
Rosa began her architectural journey in Croatia, later working across the Netherlands and the UK before settling in London for her master’s degree. It was here that she found both opportunity and inspiration, ultimately staying and establishing her career in London, one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
Early in her journey, Rosa realised that architecture extends far beyond buildings. She became increasingly interested in the broader cultural and social context of design—how architecture can be a tool for shaping the public realm and enabling meaningful human connections. That wider lens led her to the NLA and the London Festival of Architecture, which she now directs.
What Makes a Place?
“For me, the main difference between space and place is the social layer—the feeling of safety, belonging, and being invited in.”
— Rosa Rogina
Rosa sees place as deeply personal, layered with individual and collective meaning. In her work, she focuses on creating spaces that are inclusive, accessible, and relevant to the people who inhabit them.
She’s particularly intrigued by the tension between order and disorder, the designed and the organic, and how informal uses of space can be just as powerful as formal design. For her, good placemaking is about allowing room for evolution—creating frameworks that invite participation, growth, and adaptability over time.
Island Roots: A Personal Place
When asked about her favourite place in the world, Rosa chose the Island of Rab in Croatia. It’s not widely known, but for Rosa, it represents safety, comfort, and familiarity. It’s a place full of personal history, where the social layers of memory and connection are deeply embedded.
Voices: The LFA 2025 Theme
Looking ahead to the 2025 edition of the London Festival of Architecture, Rosa is excited about this year’s theme: Voices.
It’s a theme that invites the city’s many communities to speak up, be heard, and shape the festival from the ground up. Rosa sees Voices as an opportunity to challenge hierarchies in the built environment and amplify narratives that often go unheard.
Whether it’s grassroots organisations, emerging architects, or marginalised communities, Rosa wants to ensure the festival reflects London’s diversity—not just in who’s represented, but in how they participate.
Evolving the Festival: From Awareness to Action
Over the last 20 years, the London Festival of Architecture has grown from a small local initiative to a major citywide celebration. Rosa acknowledges the growing awareness it has created, but is now focused on ensuring the festival translates this awareness into tangible action and policy change.
She’s passionate about making the festival more democratic—open to all, transparent in its operations, and relevant to people outside the traditional architectural community. Whether it’s through community-led programming or partnerships that drive long-term change, Rosa sees the festival as a platform for empowerment.
Looking Forward: Building a Culture of Participation
“I want the festival to be a space where experimentation is encouraged, where new voices can shape the city.”
— Rosa Rogina
Rosa is clear-eyed about the challenges that lie ahead—from funding constraints to the shifting role of public institutions—but she remains optimistic. For her, the future of placemaking lies in collaboration, in embracing messiness, and in trusting communities to know what’s best for themselves.
The London Festival of Architecture, under Rosa’s leadership, is moving beyond celebration towards co-creation—an open call for everyone to contribute their voice to the future of London.
Want to hear more from Rosa on architecture, culture, and co-creation?
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube to catch the full conversation between Tanisha Raffiuddin and Rosa Rogina.
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Talk soon!