Our collaboration with London School of Architecture grew from a shared commitment to improving built environment literacy and broadening access to the industry. After initial conversations with LSA’s Part 0 programme leads Roy and Yaya about the Thesaurus for Change workstream, the Young Trustees were invited to contribute to their programme.
Part 0 is a free, pre-foundation course designed to introduce young people from underrepresented backgrounds to architecture and the wider built environment. In our early discussions, we recognised a clear alignment in values. The programme blends creative exploration with practical skills, making space for local young people in north-east London to gain insight into the realities of working in architecture while nurturing their curiosity, confidence and collaborative spirit.
AFYT members Bruna Borges, Nompsy Chigaru, and George Pope took part in (Un)Building. A hands-on component of the programme that saw students bring their ideas to life through group construction sessions. Together the students designed and constructed a garden seating area adjacent to LSA.
Bruna also delivered a presentation introducing the Young Trustees’ work, sharing how we operate as a collective and the types of projects we lead to both the EPQ students and (Un)Building attendees, offering perspectives on the range of pathways available within the built environment.
For us, this partnership reaffirmed the importance of early, inclusive, and practical engagement. Programmes like Part 0 provide young people not only with skills but with a deeper understanding of how architecture intersects with everyday life.
Jasmin Yeo from a previous Young Trustees cohort, also kindly volunteered to support the delivery of (Un)Building 2022–23, where students designed and built a community reading room for the Hoxton Trust Community Garden.
