Simple Works Picks

There's plenty happening across London this October, with a programme of exhibitions, installations and architectural events taking place throughout the city. From material-led design and experimental installations to student exhibitions and conversations, the month offers plenty of opportunities to discover new ideas and perspectives on the built environment. We’ve picked out some of the events on our radar, highlighting a few of the exhibitions and experiences we’re most looking forward to exploring.

𝗘𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗹𝗶𝗻: 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘀 – 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺

Opening on 2 October, the Design Museum presents an exhibition dedicated to the work of artist and designer Es Devlin. Bringing together immersive installations, sculptures, drawings and film spanning three decades, the exhibition offers an insight into Devlin’s distinctive approach to design, exploring themes of storytelling, language, technology and collective experience.

The exhibition runs until 4 April 2027. // Tickets available on the Design Museum website https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/es-devlin-other-worlds

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 – 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲

Opening on 1 October, Architecture Today launches Regenerative Design 2026, a four-week exhibition and programme of talks, seminars and learning events at The Building Centre. Centred around the Regenerative Architecture Index, the exhibition brings together projects and practices exploring how architecture can work with nature, reduce environmental impact and create more just and resilient places.

As part of the programme, 6a architects’ transformation of Skinners’ Hall will feature in the Case Studies Exhibition.

1–30 October 2026 // Ticketed depending on event

https://regenerativedesign.uk/

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 – 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁

The Bartlett’s annual Autumn Show brings together postgraduate work from seven courses at The Bartlett School of Architecture, spanning architecture, urban design, computation, landscape and bio-integrated design. The exhibition showcases a diverse range of projects exploring new ideas and approaches to the future of the built environment.

30 September – 11 October 2026. // Free

𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗔 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The RIBA Stirling Prize celebrates its 30th anniversary, with six projects in contention across housing, civic spaces, infrastructure and historic sites.

One is Haworth Tompkins’ Pembroke, Mill Lane in Cambridge, combining six new buildings with the retrofit of six existing ones, alongside courtyards and biodiverse gardens.

15 October // Tickets available on RIBA website

https://www.riba.org/whats-on/riba-stirling-prize-2026/

𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘇𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 – 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁’𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸

Frieze Sculpture returns to The Regent’s Park this autumn, bringing together 11 international artists whose large-scale works are installed throughout the historic English Gardens. Curated for a fourth year by Fatoş Üstek, the 14th edition considers sculpture as a porous and relational ecology, exploring connections between natural and urban environments.

The exhibition runs until 1 November 2026. // Free

𝗠𝗮𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝘀: 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 – 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆

Opening on 25 September, Palmer Gallery presents Between the Rafters, a solo exhibition by artist Mac Collins exploring memory, family and storytelling through sculpture and installation. Inspired by his grandmother’s attic, the exhibition considers how objects and stories are preserved, fragmented and transformed over time, and how these fragments can shape our understanding of the past.

25 September – 24 October 2026 // Free entry

However you chose to spend your October, we hope these recommendations inspire your next day out.