Join us for this special walking tour inspired by the 50-year practice of Richard Rogers, an architect driven by political, philosophical, and pragmatic ideals.
Led by tour guide Lettie Mckie in conversation with Ab Rogers, learn how Richard Rogers’ work has had a major impact on London and the way people experience the city. Considering his signature design solution of separating facilities from space, in his earliest buildings daringly putting pipes, ventilation and even lifts and escalators on the outside of his buildings, we will take a closer a look at these iconic structures and gain a deeper understanding of Roger’s unique fusion of ethics and aesthetics. The walk will explore Richard Rogers’ major works in the City of London: The Lloyds Building and The Leadenhall Building (aka the Cheesegrater). We will also take in several other buildings and sites that speak to Roger’s legacy on the twenty-first century city, from his embrace of new technologies throughout his career to his influence on urban regeneration and placemaking and his championing of the creation of new public space accessible to all.
About the tour leaders
Lettie Mckie is a tour guide and cultural events programme manager. She has a Masters degree in architectural history from UCL’s The Bartlett School of Architecture. Her research interests include early nineteenth century buildings, urban planning and infrastructure in London and the history of museum design. She works at the National Portrait Gallery. She is passionate about the adaptive re-use of historic buildings of all styles and periods, especially in light of the climate crisis.
Ab Rogers is a designer and founder of Ab Rogers Design (ARD), a design and architecture studio he established in 2004 and now runs with co-director Ernesto Bartolini. With specific focus on caring spaces, sustainability and inside-out design, the studio now works internationally across health, culture, hospitality and residential sectors, designing active, supportive, engaging environments that inject narrative and purpose into the everyday. In 2021 the studio won the Wolfson Economics Prize with its design for the hospital of the future. Following this, Ab co-founded the DRU+, a design research unit that explores the interrelationship between design, culture and neuroscience, using scientific rigour to deliver the art of care. Ab has taught all over the world, creating and leading the Interior Design MA Programme at the RCA from 2012 – 2015, and has delivered projects for clients such as Maggie’s, 180 the Strand, Tate Modern and Selfridges.www.abrogers.com
About the tour
The tour will begin promptly at 10.30 am, outside Tower Bridge House, and will end at Paternoster Square (London EC4M 7DX) at 12.30 pm. A full tour route and meeting point information will be shared with ticket holders in advance. The tour will go ahead unless there are extreme weather conditions which prevent travel to/from the start location. It this is the case, you will be informed by 8 am on Saturday 13 September. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
This event is part of the public programme complementing our exhibition Richard Rogers: Talking Buildings which runs from Wednesday 18 June – Sunday 21 September 2025.
Banner image: Lloyd's Building. Photo courtesy of Lettie Mckie.