Who Makes Space? Females in Architectural Education × Heatherwick Studio, London: An international research exhibition exploring the future of architectural education and practice

Who Makes Space? was an international research exhibition and public engagement event developed by Females in Architectural Education (FIAE) in collaboration with Heatherwick Studio, London. The project brought together architectural educators, practitioners, students and contributors from across the UK, Ireland and Europe to explore the future of architectural education and practice.

Hosted at Heatherwick Studio in London, in July 2026, the programme combined a public exhibition with a full-day participatory event comprising presentations, facilitated discussion, workshops and collective reflection. The exhibition presented contributions examining experiences of architectural education and practice, alongside themes of participation, belonging, inclusion, care, identity, agency and the creation of more human environments.
The event was structured around four research questions: who or what shapes experiences of architecture; what every architecture graduate should leave university with; what architectural education should prioritise over the next decade; and what makes space more human. Participants were invited to respond directly to these questions, generating a body of qualitative material alongside the exhibited work and discussions.

Co-curated as part of FIAE's developing research programme, Who Makes Space? created a public forum connecting education and professional practice while gathering perspectives to inform the next phase of FIAE's research into architectural education and its relationship with the wider profession.