Jayden Ali explores belonging as London Festival of Architecture 2026 theme

On June 1, 2026, architect Jayden Ali kicked off the London Festival of Architecture by delivering the Murray Lecture at the London Centre, centering around the theme of 'Belonging.' He drew connections between his own life and work, mentioning Lubaina Himid's exhibition at the 2026 Venice Art Biennale, which featured large paintings that delve into memory and Black experiences. Ali also referenced his 2023 installation, 'Thunder and Simsek,' showcased at the Venice Architecture Biennale, which included steel-pan sculptures inspired by Chris Ofili's 2003 Union Black flagpoles. His lecture emphasized concepts like polycentrism and polyphony as vital for creating a sense of belonging. Additionally, Ali, who recently opened a New York office for JA Projects, is involved in a major Caribbean theatrical performance and serves as a Dean's Visiting Professor at Columbia GSAPP.