Javier Peña Ibañez in conversation with Benni Allan on Concéntrico

As part of London Design Festival, architect Benni Allan and curator Javier Peña come together for a conversation exploring architecture as a tool for environmental responsibility and material innovation. Centred on EBBA's ongoing research into low-carbon construction, the discussion will examine alternative ways of building that reduce reliance on cement and steel while embracing local resources, craftsmanship and circular design principles. The talk will focus on a full-scale prototype column developed as part of a wider research project that will culminate in the design of an outdoor classroom and chicken coop in Spain. Presented as a fragment of a building not yet realised, the prototype serves as a testing ground for materials, assembly techniques and structural performance, revealing how research can directly inform architectural practice. Through a dialogue between Peña and Allan, the event will explore themes of structure, compression and material economy, reflecting on how architecture can emerge from the careful balance between mass and void. The conversation offers a unique insight into the design process, highlighting the role of experimentation in shaping new forms of sustainable construction and imagining more resource-conscious futures for the built environment. The installation will be on show from Saturday 12th to Saturday 19th September.