Francesca Perry Email & Phone Number

As a freelance journalist covering design and culture, I contribute to the Financial Times, CNN, Wired, The Economist, BBC, Fast Company and Wallpaper*. I have also written for The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Untapped, Dwell, Metropolis, Architects' Journal, Crafts, The World of Interiors and The Planner.I am the editor of Welfare Architecture for All (Arvinius + Orfeus, 2021), a book championing architecture's potential for benefitting people and planet, in collaboration with CF Møller Architects.As an editor and copywriter I have collaborated with companies, organisations and institutions to craft websites, editorial publications, newsletters and reports that support organisational communications, identity, branding and growth. Clients include URBACT (the EU's Cities programme), The London School of Architecture, The Bartlett (UCL), Quality of Life Foundation, African Futures Institute, Jestico + Whiles and Map Project Office.

London, England, United Kingdom

As a senior editor I work on leading publications across Cultureshock's portfolio – including Sotheby's Magazine, Reside (Sotheby's International Realty) and V&A Magazine – as well as contribute to overall editorial strategy and new business development. I was editor of Sotheby's Magazine (Summer 2024 issue) and am currently editor of Reside magazine, managing all editorial processes and collaborating with writers, art directors, production managers, picture researchers and partnership teams. I write features and interviews for V&A Magazine and The London Library Magazine, and commission architecture and design-led features for the Sir John Soane's Museum Annual Review. I proofread magazines for the Royal Opera & Ballet, the London Library, Shakespeare's Globe, and the National Gallery of Ireland. I have also worked on the editorial development and production of podcast series.

Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana

The AFI is an architectural education and research institute established by Prof Lesley Lokko OBE in Accra, Ghana. I work across all communications including publications, website and social media, ensuring robust clarity and accuracy. Through my role I also subedited the catalogue for the 18th International Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, which is curated by Lesley Lokko.

I am the founder and editor of Thinking City, an editorial and events platform for the exploration of inclusive cities and urban life. I built a community of over 23,000 followers on Twitter (@thinkingcity) and an international readership. In addition to my own written pieces, I commissioned an array of writers and practitioners in cities around the world to write features for the Thinking City platform. The website aimed to serve as a resource, linking to an ever-evolving directory of carefully selected projects and organisations that are dedicated to improving cities and urban life for all.Through this role, I spoke at and chaired multiple high-profile events, including panels at Edinburgh International Science Festival and London Festival of Architecture. I also delivered specific Thinking City events, including Can people and profit coexist? (2018) and Contemporary Craft in Cities (2019, in collaboration with London Craft Week and Assemble). I was invited to write articles for PUBLIC Journal, Protein Journal and Building Design.

London, England, United Kingdom

In this short-term role I helped the LSA develop and implement its editorial and content strategy, to meaningfully build and mobilise the school's network, and champion its students. I developed a new member-based newsletter, commissioned content around urgent themes in architecture such as displacement and fire safety, and delivered the Summer Show 2022 catalogue.

As editor of ICON – the international magazine of contemporary architecture and design – I shaped, oversaw and delivered the publication of the quarterly print magazine, daily web and social media platforms, and weekly newsletter. I was responsible for commissioning and curating all content, as well as managing and shaping the brand, growing and engaging global audiences, developing partnerships and collaborations, managing budgets, overseeing marketing and subscriptions, and maintaining the highest standards of editorial integrity and accuracy. During my first year at ICON I grew website users by 120%, through a mix of high-quality and engaging content, strategic SEO, active social media and newsletter subscriptions.I was committed to nurturing new journalistic talent and ensuring diverse, global coverage of how design and architecture shapes our lives – from clothing to hospitals to AI systems, and from post-disaster rebuilding in Lebanon and Japan to community-led projects in Mexico and Iran.I also secured exclusive interviews with leading industry figures including Virgil Abloh, Jeanne Gang, Ini Archibong, Dorte Mandrup and Jaime Hayon.

London, United Kingdom

Established in 1983, Blueprint magazine was one of the UK's leading publications spanning architecture, design and art. I managed the editorial content in each issue, to include planning annual themes, commissioning a range of features, liaising with writers, sourcing imagery, copyediting all content and working with the art director to prepare each issue for publication. I also wrote key features for the magazine, and interviewed leading architects and designers such as Amanda Levete, Annabelle Sellforf, Yinka Ilori and Adam Nathaniel Furman. I led on digital and engagement strategy and management, including social media and online publishing. I collaborated on organising, marketing and delivering key events for the magazine, including the Blueprint for the Future student shows and seminars, the Blueprint Awards and the Blueprint Architecture Photography Awards.

Guardian Cities was the Guardian's site dedicated to the discussion of the future of cities around the world. As commissioning and community editor, I focused on commissioning, curating and editing core content to tell global urban stories as well as critical online community building and engagement, involving readers in our content to support an interactive forum. I managed all social media and conversations for the Cities site, fostering an inclusive dialogue. I established the popular 'Cities on Instagram'​ series, as well as creating the 'Border cities' and 'Ageing cities' series. Through intensive 'live weeks' in Mumbai, Mexico City and Jakarta I worked hard to develop and nurture our global audience.I coordinated a partnership with the Barbican Centre in 2014 on their 'City Visions'​ film season, inviting readers around the world to make a short film about their city. The winning films were screened at a special Guardian Cities screening at the Barbican cinema. In 2015 I collaborated with Central St Martins School of Art and Design on their 'London is Changing' project, collecting experiences of relocation in London from Guardian readers that ended up on digital billboards in the city for 2 weeks.

Bermondsey

Make:good is a design studio involving people in shaping neighbourhood change. I worked on project strategy, development and delivery as well as growing the profile of the organisation. I designed and coordinated creative engagement, planned and delivered public events, wrote bids, won projects and managed social media. For six months I co-managed the Northwood Futures project to involve people in shaping local regeneration in Northwood, London. One of my other major projects was helping to coordinate and design a brand new website for make:good to increase our profile. I also coordinated a key professional event at LLDC, bringing together expert commissioners, practitioners and policy-makers to co-produce ideas for improving how public engagement is commissioned. I wrote the business strategy for the organisation in 2015, implementing a set of core communications that were linked up to the relaunch of the website. I held regular team meetings to reflect on how we were pursuing opportunities for growth and increased profile.

London, United Kingdom

As Membership Coordinator and then Regions & Nations Coordinator, I helped support and grow the Academy’s network of urbanists committed to promoting better cities for all. I engaged in administration and communication as well as co-creating strategy and coordinating events for both the Academicians and the Young Urbanists. I liaised with and enabled a network of Local Activity Convenors across the UK and internationally to put on collaborative events dedicated to expanding the dialogue around good urbanism.

Urban Design International is a highly acclaimed journal for the exchange of information and debate concerning issues of urban design and management, as well as a vital resource for urban designers, architects, planners and developers. I provided editorial assistance and support in assessing articles for the publication and allocating reviewers. I acted as the liaison for the many people involved in the journal, from the receipt of texts from authors through to the handover to production staff.

Uk

I assisted on the UK Government's Foresight Future of Cities project. The project takes a long-term look at how UK cities can best contribute to economic growth over the coming decades, taking into consideration wellbeing, equity and social inclusion. I helped to record and draw together findings from expert panel discussions around the UK.

Shoreditch

I coordinated all elements of project development, to include public consultation and engagement, project strategy, event planning and management, communications and community research. My main project was the Shell Centre Dialogue, the process of community consultation for the redevelopment of the Shell Centre on London's South Bank, as well as Shaping Wood Wharf, the public engagement project for the redevelopment of Wood Wharf on the Isle of Dogs. My work at Soundings included the organisation and facilitation of public workshops, exhibitions, presentations and pop-up events, meetings with clients and stakeholders, extensive local area and stakeholder research, production of project documents including Consultation Updates and the Statement of Community Involvement. I led the planning and coordination of a Family Fun Day event in a primary school to expand youth and family engagement for the Shell Centre Dialogue.I also collaborated with Soundings' sister company, Fluid, a participatory architecture practice, in architecture competitions and projects for placemaking strategies.I assisted on public consultation work with Transforming the Heygate, the Development Framework for Pinewood Studios, the London Dock Consultation, Hornsey Depot, Making Eccleston Place and the Elephant & Castle Leisure Centre redevelopment. In my role I gained experience of working collaboratively with developers, architects, landscape architects, cultural consultants, public relations and political communications agencies. My public consultation work included engagement with an array of groups including local residents, schools, cultural institutions, businesses, faith groups, community groups and TRAs.

London, United Kingdom

I worked largely on communications, creating a social media strategy as well as editing publications and website content to better convey the story and mission of the organisation. I was also part of Design for London’s writing team, telling stories about high street-oriented regeneration projects.Focusing on the Outer London Fund project, I was involved in meetings and site visits with Local Authorities, journalists, the Mayor’s Design Advisory Panel as well as internal meetings at the GLA to develop positive projects to support Outer London places.

London, United Kingdom

I was artist liaison and event facilitator for a key high-profile art auction for the charity, which engages in creative practices to provide an alternative to the culture of knife crime in East London.

I helped with event planning at Hub Westminster, an organisation supporting social enterprise and changemakers across London. I was also involved in shaping the early stages of 00:/’s Library Lab community project in Willesden.

My work at Open City was mainly situated within the Art In The Open team. I researched and helped evaluate public art projects, participated in design advocacy team activities, analysed website statistics, prepared events and undertook copyediting. I also helped at Open House Weekends 2009 and 2010, facilitating the smooth running of public talks and distributing information.

London, United Kingdom

I worked on a public art project, ‘Games’, curated by this charity dedicated to creating light sculptures in the capital. I engaged with the artist behind the project, assisting with decisions about the content and siting of the works. I investigated potential sites for artworks, entering into discussions with landlords, gallery curators, business managers and tenants. I helped apply for funding of the project and its educational initiatives, promoting the project in a clear and effective manner in order to attract financial supporters.

I overhauled the website, editing all written content, drew up art funding and art fair applications, wrote mission statements and exhibition text, and interviewed artists. I helped install art shows including 'Bermuda Triangle' (2009) at Spring Projects and 'Oh! You Pretty Things' (2010) at Liberty's of London. I also helped organise and run private views.

As the exhibitions intern, I was engaged in communication and collaboration with curators, artists and technicians. I did extensive research for specific projects and upcoming shows, helped organise and install exhibitions in the Project Space, produced written promotional content, and organised private view events.

Master Of Science (Msc), Urban Studies

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), History Of Art

Activities and Societies: Varsity fashion editor, The Mays arts editor