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Helen Grohmann
Helen is an Executive Assistant at BDP, where she coordinates a team of Landscape Architects, Town Planners and Urban Designers. Having joined in 2022 and previously worked for other prominent design-led practices, Helen has a keen interest in the built environment and regularly attends events in the industry.
As we head into Spring and start to make the most of some London sun (hopefully!), the value of the great outdoors will become undeniable. Whether it’s a plod in the park or planting perennials, it’s good for us to spend some time outside when we can. If green is your favourite colour too, then you’ll be pleased to hear about some of the environment-focused events that March has in store for us.
Head to the Garden Museum for an insightful talk about the role of urban gardens in mental health and the healing power of nature. Restorative Gardens: A Conversation on Urban Healing will discuss how thoughtfully designed, small, green spaces can offer peace and connection amidst urban life. This hidden gem hosts an array of events throughout the year – one to keep an eye out for.
With International Women’s Day quickly approaching on March 8th, there are lots of inspiring events to choose from across the city. An event that stood out to me was Built Barriers: The Launch. Hosted by Roca London Gallery, alongside 100 Women Architects: The Exhibition, guest speakers will be sharing examples of the barriers that prevent women from accessing and using spaces, which is also the first step in a broader project celebrating exemplary design that is supportive of women.
Fancy a boogie at the Barbican? If this has piqued your interest, I suggest you check out the Young Barbican Takeover Festival. Where an afternoon of bops, reading pop-ups, architectural tours and much more are on offer for London’s emerging creatives. Go back to Silk Street later in the month to visit the Barbican Conservatory for Concrete Garden: Fertile Ground. Offering a retreat from the noise of the city, this much-loved urban oasis promises a day of talks and activations centred around the conditions of life, including DIY workshops on making your own plants grow.
If the weather is being typically London and the sun is nowhere to be seen, then a trip to the Saatchi Gallery’s new exhibition could be just what you need. Flowers – Flora in Contemporary Art & Culture showcases the ongoing influence of flowers on creativity and human expression, revealing the ways that flowers are depicted within contemporary culture. Highlights include a bespoke installation piece where you can find a room devoted to over 100,000 dried flowers, thoughtfully designed by Rebecca Louise Law.
The Glass-House Community Led Design are passionate about making great places a reality for everyone. Their brilliant WEdesign series provides the opportunity to explore issues impacting the built environment today, and The Healthy City is no exception. This co-design event examines the influence of urban living on our health through discussion, debate and playful making activities.
Finally, whether you’re keen to learn about AI in architecture or would like to try your hand at carpentry, the RIBA’s two-day Festival of the Future really does offer something for everyone. The festival invites you to explore, create, and imagine your future in the built environment, with a programme of creative workshops for all ages, talks and tours, plus careers advice and networking for aspiring designers.
