London Festival of Architecture explores how science, community and placemaking are coming together to build a world-class cancer district in Sutton.
The London Cancer District has rounded off a month of celebrations as part of the London Festival of Architecture (LFA) 2025, marking a milestone for Sutton’s growing life sciences cluster.
Throughout June, the festival’s theme of “Voices” was brought to life through a packed programme of creative, scientific and community-led events.
Nearly 300 people from across the country took part, including residents, school groups, researchers and community leaders, offering attendees a glimpse into the future of what will become a world leading cancer innovation district.
Delivered in partnership with Aviva Capital Partners, Socius, Populate, Sutton Council and institutions across the London Cancer District, the festival programme opened up the campus like never before.
Attendees were given behind-the-scenes access to the London Cancer District, which is already home to The Institute of Cancer Research, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Harris Academy and Maggie’s.
With a £1bn transformation led by Aviva Capital Partners and Socius currently in planning, the events gave visitors a sense of what’s to come, ranging from world-class laboratories and public spaces to pioneering architectural design and community-led placemaking.
Feedback from festival goers was overwhelmingly positive, 100% of survey respondents rated the events favourably and more than 70% said they wanted to stay informed as the District progresses.
Several attendees were surprised by how much was already happening behind the scenes and described their experience of the festival as “inspiring” and “informative”. “I thought I knew the campus,” one visitor remarked, “but I had no idea the vision was this ambitious… or this ‘real’.”
From guided walks and flash-mob dances to architectural talks and science experiments, the festival events offered a chance to connect with developers, researchers, architects, students and local leaders.
Throughout the month-long festival, visitors explored the London Cancer District through:
- Guided walking tours highlighting the plans for London Cancer Hub’s world-leading architecture, active labs and new public spaces
- A behind-the-scenes look at the design of Maggie’s building with architect Ab Rogers
- Lab tours inside the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery at the Institute of Cancer Research
- A hands-on planting session at the Community Garden, inspired by the Moon Bloom sculpture
- A flash-mob dance performance of ‘Voices’, a choreographed interpretation of LFA2025’s theme delivered by Sutton Community Dance.
The final event in the programme offered volunteers the chance to leave their mark on the evolving community garden.
As well as provide a tranquil, green area for relaxation for staff, patients and visitors, the space is now home to the striking Moon Bloom sculpture – a collaboration between LFA, London Borough of Sutton, Successful Sutton BID and Adrienne Lau from Edgy Collective, which will serve as a focal point for the garden.
Commenting on the Festival, Councillor Barry Lewis, Leader of Sutton Council, said: “The London Cancer Hub reflects Sutton’s ambition and identity – a place where innovation meets community. This June, we wanted people from across London and beyond to visit and see what’s possible here and be part of shaping its voice and story. We’re really excited to have launched this exciting activity programme for LFA25.”
Olaide Oboh, Managing Director at Populate, added: “The LFA2025 programme brought together all the best of the London Cancer Hub, across science, design and community.
“These events reflect our commitment to inclusive development. Through meaningful engagement and bold placemaking, we’re showing how a forward-thinking built environment can truly improve lives.”
The LFA2025 events also coincided with the launch of BIG Ambition, South London’s strategic vision for growth. London Cancer District featured prominently within the document, seen as a catalyst for job creation, scientific discovery and long-term placemaking.
To provide comments on the live application for London Cancer District (Reference: DM2025/00561), please visit Sutton Council’s planning portal: https://planningregister.sutton.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=SV4P25KC08L00
Photography by Nathan Piccio and Sean Pollock
