Alastair Walker’s (Brown’s 2017) work has been selected to feature as part of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Here, queer, and everywhere: an exhibition of activism and social change as part of LGBT+ History Month.
After entering the RIBA LGBT+ History Month 2025 open call, Alastair’s exhibit, Moments of Resilience: Sculpting Queer Narratives in Flux, has been chosen alongside 11 other student projects which use an architectural lens to focus on this year’s LGBT+ History Month theme, Activism and Social Change. The exhibition will be on display at the RIBA Library, 66 Portland Place, London until 10 April.
2025 marks 20 years since Schools OUT first launched UK LGBT+ History Month. It takes place every February and aims to recognise and celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people who have contributed to society and to history, and to highlight relevant and important events and issues.
Alastair said:
“The work was created for Royal College of Art Media Studies with Dr Mirna Pedalo's wonderful guidance and brief "On the Horizon: Temporal Bordering and Politics of Waiting". By engaging with queer archives and primary materials, the project explores the social and physical boundaries shaping London’s queer experience. Archival imagery is reimagined through plaster-casting etching onto sculptural surfaces, intertwining historical narratives with artistic expression to monumentalise queer resistance.
“I entered the open call as my recent work deals with lost queer space and architectural memory, weaving together narratives to create historic tapestries, part fiction, part non-fiction to see histories anew. In a recent talk, author Adam Nathaniel Furman shared that during his studies you could be laughed out of the room when researching queer architecture in higher education.
“Having only felt able to study these complex topics at master’s level, I am lucky enough to be able to explore these themes seriously in a prestigious academic setting due to the unwavering persistence of trailblazers before me.
“Queer people are often told that now is the best time to be queer, however recent headlines and challenges to our communities might suggest otherwise. It feels important to highlight LGBTQ+ histories and communities that paved the way for students and young architects to explore.”
In addition, Alastair has done a 'take over' of the RIBA Education Newsletter, sharing highlights of his time working at vPPR Architects, why queer representation in architecture is so important, and who and where he goes for inspiration.
Congratulations, Alastair!
The Alleyn's Schools Group
We are delighted to announce the opening of Alleyn’s Regent’s Park and Alleyn’s Hampstead, from September 2025. These will be the first schools to join the Alleyn’s Schools Group. Learn more here.
Last updated on 10 03 2025 at 09:06
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