The London Festival of Architecture and The Fitzrovia Partnership are delighted to announce the winners of ‘Fitz&Sits’, a design competition that will bring innovative seating installations to Fitzrovia. As part of LFA2025, these installations will enhance public spaces, providing inviting spots for residents, workers, and visitors while celebrating this year’s theme, Voices.
The winning entries were selected by a distinguished panel of judges with expertise in public realm design, community engagement, and architecture. The jury included Bee de Soto of The Fitzrovia Partnership, Lavinia Scaletti of the London Borough of Camden, Katie Fisher, winner of the LFA Pews and Perches 2024 competition, Charlotte Hitchens of ElliottWood Engineers, Bill Webb of Able Partners, and Rebecca Cloke of Westminster City Council.
The winning teams will now bring their designs to life, transforming Fitzrovia’s streetscape into a dynamic and inclusive seating trail. The selected teams are:
Andrada Calin & Tabby Bunyan
Architect Andrada Calin and textile designer Tabby Bunyan explore Fabreco, a material made from textile waste, promoting hyper-local recycling. Their outdoor furniture piece honours Fitzrovia’s heritage and highlights fast fashion’s impact. Andrada, an architect and urban designer at Hackney Council, works on regeneration projects for sustainability. Tabby, founder of RE_CONSIDERED, launched her sustainable design initiative in 2020 with Innovate UK’s Young Innovator’s Award.
“We are incredibly proud to be among the winning designs for Fitz&Sits and to be taking part in the London Festival of Architecture 2025. Think Twice, crafted from Fabreco, transforms textile waste into a powerful statement on fast fashion’s environmental impact. Inspired by the Omega Workshops, it’s more than just a seat—it’s a celebration of cultural heritage, community connection, and hyper-local recycling.”
Kupkei
Founded by Lauren and Ashwin in 2023, Kupkei blends thoughtful design with a personal touch. Having met at The Bartlett, UCL, the duo now balance architecture with family life. Lauren has experience with Hopkins Architects, Heatherwick Studio, and Craftworks, while Ashwin has worked with SCABAL, Foster + Partners, and Knox Bhavan Architects.
Marie-Louise Jones + Foils + Love Design Studio
Marie-Louise Jones is an award-winning artist rethinking materials, with past projects at Tate Modern, Saatchi Gallery, and the Barbican. Foils, founded by architect Ned Scott, focuses on creative education and social engagement. Love Design Studio, an environmental consultancy, promotes sustainable design and circular economy principles.
“We’re thrilled to be given the opportunity to create a sculptural zero-waste loveseat using hyperlocal material fragments from the communities of Fitzrovia.”
Minifie Collective
A team of four architects from Minifie Architects, this collective is committed to sustainable, innovative design. Their work spans humanitarian projects, community initiatives in Ghana, and hands-on construction. Passionate about material reuse, they approach each project with a sustainability-first mindset.
“We’re thrilled to be part of this exciting opportunity to create a bench installation in collaboration with the Fitzoriva Partnership and LFA. This project represents a captivating intersection of art and architecture, which deeply resonates with us as a team. It offers a chance to explore a more playful side to architecture centred around the community and character of Fitzrovia. We look forward to seeing the project come to life.”
Pei-Chi Lee & Asia Zwierzchowska
Pei-Chi Lee and Asia Zwierzchowska met in 2021 in Slavutych, Ukraine, and have since collaborated across art and design. Their work explores heritage, well-being, and sustainability through textiles, architecture, and storytelling.
“We are excited to be a part of the Fitz&Sits programme and we hope to create an intervention that invites the public to connect with the creative past of the Fitzrovia bohemian community. This project will give us the opportunity to test different materials, textures, and patterns within the Fitzrovia public realm.”
Playful Matter
Known for their immersive and interactive installations, Playful Matter transforms everyday spaces into moments of fun and connection. Their work invites people to engage with their surroundings in unexpected ways.
“This project offers a special opportunity to give back to a place close to our hearts. By incorporating elements that reflect Fitzrovia’s creative heritage, and infusing joy into everyday life, we hope to honour the neighbourhood’s history while adding a contemporary twist. We look forward to contributing to the voices that make Fitzrovia a vibrant and ever-evolving part of London’s cultural landscape.”
Studio OleO
Founded by Zixin Ye and Yaobin Wang, Studio OleO combines architecture and installations. Both graduates of the Architectural Association, they have contributed to award-winning projects at Zaha Hadid Architects.
“For us, Fitzrovia is more than a location—it’s a community, a memory, and an inspiration. Everyone passes through Fitzroy sooner or later, which is why we’re passionate about this competition. We can’t wait to celebrate Fitzrovia’s rich history and reimagine its future through the lens of our design and personal connection.”
Studio Ply + Hackney Mosaic Project
Tessa Hunkin has been making mosaics for 35 years, working on Westminster Cathedral and authoring books on the craft. In 2011, she founded the Hackney Mosaic Project, which brings together people in recovery and local volunteers to create public mosaics. Rada Stilianova, a trained actor, discovered mosaics in Ravenna and later studied at the London School of Mosaic. Since 2019, she has worked on large-scale commissions and joined the project in 2021.
Recently back in the UK after living in Lisbon, James Shackleton of Studio Ply aims to bring vibrant, social urban life to London’s streets. He sees this competition as an opportunity to shape public space and meet others contributing to the built environment.
“It’s a pleasure to be involved in bringing moments of pause to London’s restless streets.”
Studio This & That
Led by Austin Joseph, Studio This & That is a multidisciplinary design studio driven by creativity and craftsmanship. Their experience spans architectural models to public installations, with a hands-on approach to bold, interactive design.
“To create and contribute to the public realm is an incredible opportunity I’m looking forward to. It is our chance to inject fun and playfulness within the most ordinary of objects for all those who interact.”
A Collaborative Vision for Fitzrovia
“Our cities are shaped by the voices of those who inhabit them, and ‘Fitz&Sits’ exemplifies how design can amplify these voices in playful, meaningful ways,” said Rosa Rogina, Director of the London Festival of Architecture. “We’re thrilled to see these outstanding emerging designers bring their visions to life, creating spaces that encourage conversation, connection, and community in Fitzrovia.”
The ‘Fitz&Sits’ competition builds on LFA’s collaboration with The Fitzrovia Partnership to reimagine public space in the neighbourhood. The installations, unveiled in June 2025, will embody the essence of Voices by amplifying local narratives and encouraging interaction.
Dr Julie Grail, Interim CEO of The Fitzrovia Partnership, said: “This year’s Fitz&Sits public realm intervention not only addresses a lack of public seating in the district, but also fosters conversation and community. We are thrilled to see these talented designers shape Fitzrovia’s streets with their creative solutions.”
Stay tuned for the official unveiling this June as part of LFA2025!
