For the second time at Frieze Masters—one of the most exclusive and significant global events—Galeria MaPa, founded by Marcelo Palotta, arrives with a heightened sense of responsibility. During the gallery's previous participation, the program earned MaPa the title of best curatorial project from the prestigious portal Art News.
Caption Arup Masterclass by architect Özgül Öztürk exploring material memory and regenerative design during London Festival of Architecture 2026. Credit Image courtesy of Arup
This talk explores how earth-based materials and participatory design practices can help create spaces that foster memory, connection and belonging.
Heritage is often discussed in terms of preservation, yet its deeper value lies in how it shapes identity, belonging and meaning in the built environment. Rooted and Relevant will explore the role of heritage in contemporary placemaking, asking how historic context can ground development while remaining resonant for modern audiences. Is heritage too often absent from placemaking conversations? What is lost when identity is treated as a marketing exercise rather than something embedded in the cultural and physical fabric of a place?
Belonging is not accidental - it is designed. This panel explores how architecture shapes belonging, not just by providing shelter, but by structuring everyday life.
