A Global
Design EnCounter
An immersive international programme exploring design, architecture, exhibitions, and culture through the London Design Festival 2026.
Location
London, UK
Date
Sep 10-17, 2026
The London Design Festival 2026, from September 10-17, transforms the city into a global hub of contemporary design through exhibitions, installations, architecture, and cultural experiences.
Experience 01 / 06
Live Exhibition Setup
& Curatorial Engagement
Experience 02 / 06
Participate and Engage in Workshop
& Lecture Westminster University, London
Experience 03 / 06
Industry & Global
Design Culture
Engage with creative professionals and global design culture.
Experience 04 / 06
Museums and
Important Landmarks
Visit museums, universities, and architectural landmarks
Experience 05 / 06
Shoreditch Design Week
LDF's Largest Official District
Shoreditch Design Week is a celebration of design that brings together exhibitions, installations and brand showcases across London's most creative neighbourhood.
Experience 06 / 06
London Serpentine Pavilion 2026
Guided visit to the Serpentine Pavilion 2026, Inspired by the English architectural feature known as the serpentine or crinkle-crankle wall. It’s a celebration of materiality, movement and 25 years of the Serpentine Pavilion programme
Festival
Highlights
Live Exhibition & Installation Participation
International Portfolio & Showcase Opportunity
Exposure to Global Design & Architecture
Guided Architectural & Cultural Exploration
Networking with Designers, Curators & Studios
Academic Interaction with Leading Universities
Visits to Museums, Institutions
Architecture and Design Immersion program
Westminster University
Experience the world of design firsthand through a curated London exhibition journey
Last Date of Application: 15th July
Announcement of shortlisted
Students: 20th July
Arrival in London, airport transfer, accommodation check-in and time allocated for rest after travel.
Evening orientation — Introduction to:
Each participant will receive a curated London Design Guide highlighting key festival venues, museums, architectural landmarks, public spaces and cultural destinations to be explored throughout the programme.
Venue: Tower Tavern, University of Westminster,
21 Clipstone St, London W1W 6BA
Introduction to the exhibition venue and curatorial framework by OSA Studio. Participants will work alongside tutors and collaborators in preparing the exhibition for public opening.
Activities include:
This practical experience introduces participants to the processes involved in delivering a public exhibition within an international design festival.
Evening: London Architecture & Urban History Walk
Led by Abubokkar Siddiki
Architect | Visiting Lecturer | Chair, RIBA South East London Architects Group (SELAG)
The walk explores London's historic evolution, architectural heritage and urban transformation through some of the city's most significant public spaces.
Curated Culinary Experience
An introduction to London's multicultural food culture, exploring how migration and cultural diversity have shaped one of the world's most dynamic cities.
The exhibition officially opens as part of the London Design Festival.
Participants will engage directly with the public through:
The day focuses on understanding how exhibitions communicate ideas within public and cultural settings.
Evening walking route (4pm – 8pm):
Guided visits to selected London Design Festival installations and major architectural destinations across the city.
Possible locations include:
Throughout the day participants will examine how architecture, design, public space and culture contribute to London's urban identity.
This day explores London’s internationally recognised retail environments as examples of architecture, branding and placemaking.
Visits include:
Themes explored include:
Morning visits include:
Afternoon
Collaborative Design Workshop — Hosted by the University of Westminster
Students from participating institutions will collaborate through design discussion, knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary learning.
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Evening
Free for independent exploration.
Afternoon
Urban Climate Walks
Led by Julie (ann) Futcher
Chair, RIBA London Climate Special Interest Group
A guided walk exploring how London’s streets, buildings and public spaces shape urban climate, environmental performance and climate-responsive design.
Evening
Public Lecture - RIBA South East London Architects Group (SELAG)
Venue: University of Westminster - Cavendish Campus
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
An evening event bringing together architects, academics and practitioners to explore contemporary issues in architecture, urbanism and design. Building on the exhibition theme of Threshold, the discussion examines retail architecture beyond shopping, exploring the relationship between the public realm, the threshold and the interior. It considers how these interconnected spaces shape movement, behaviour and everyday urban life, mediating between public and private, commerce and culture.
Morning
Free for independent exploration.
The programme concludes with a reflective session focusing on:
Programme closing followed by airport transfers and departure.
Who can join?
London's Iconic Architectural &
Design Landmarks
The Buckingham Palace
Tower Bridge
National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery
The London Eye
Victoria and Albert Museum
St. Pauls Cathedral Church
The Design Museum
Somerset House
Millennium Bridge
Soho
China Town
St James's Park
Leicester Square
Trafalgar Square
Covent Garden
New Bond Street
Harrods
Selfridges
Oxford Street
Certification
Receive a Cindrebay completion certificate. Additional certifications available for:
Early Bird Fee: AED 7000
Inclusions
Exclusions
Note
Offer valid until 5 July 2026
Fee increases to AED 8000 thereafter.
Past Events
The programme is open to:
The itinerary may include:
Facilitators During the Trip
Abu Siddiki
ARB & RIBA-registered Architect and International Planner. PhD researcher on diaspora, urbanisation, and climate resilience. Lecturer and Chair, RIBA South East London Architects Group. Advisor and Adjunct Faculty at Cindrebay London.
Kaustav Kalyan Deb Burman
Assistant Professor of Interior Design. Architect, M.Des (CEPT, Awarded Best Thesis) Working at the intersection of craft, culture, and context-led design.
Ar. Daksh Goel
Founder OSA Studio, Partner London Design Festival 2025, 2026 MA Product Design, Royal College of Art, London B.Arch, CEPT University
Betul Bagdadi Tilley
Managing Director, Cindrebay Dubai. Interior Designer with a background at the British Embassy and extensive international experience.
Contact Us
Address
Cindrebay Technical & Occupational Skills
Training LLC, 106, Business Atrium,
Oud Metha, Dubai, UAE
Phone
