Farrell Centre

15/10/2026

RIBA's 30 Years of the Stirling Prize Exhibition is coming to the Farrell Centre!

Wed 21 October - Fri 27 November

After debuting at the Stirling Prize ceremony, the Stirling Prize at 30 exhibition will travel to Newcastle, showcasing three decades of award-winning architecture through past winners, shortlisted projects and this year's winning scheme.

🌟 Join us on 21 October, 5.30–7.30pm for an opening evening with RIBA North East YAPF. Enjoy a drink, explore the exhibition and connect with fellow architecture enthusiasts.

🎟️ Grab your free ticket here - https://www.farrellcentre.org.uk/whats-on/riba-stirling-prize-at-30-exhibition-preview/

Image Credit: Hawkins Brown

28/09/2026

Byker - The Redevelopment Years

Join Per Hederus and Arne Nilsson – members of the team of architects who designed the Byker Estate - to hear their personal reflections on the development

📍
📅Wed 30 September
🕕 6pm - 7.30pm
Sign up: https://www.farrellcentre.org.uk/whats-on/byker-the-redevelopment-years/

16/09/2026

Thinkspace

We are very excited to launch Thinkspace, a new lecture series organised by the Farrell Centre and Space Architects, exploring how a space becomes a place.

To mark 70 years of the North East practice, Thinkspace will bring together practitioners, thinkers and advocates with differing perspectives on how places are designed and experienced. Encompassing the material and environmental through to the professional and cultural, the series broadens our understanding of place and considers how places can support positive change for the communities around them.

Thurs 1 Oct – Carolyn Steel
Thurs 15 Oct – Sarah Wigglesworth
Thurs 22 Oct - Manijeh Verghese
Thurs 26 Nov – George Clarke
Tues 8 Dec – Chris Williamson

Find out more about our wonderful speakers and book your FREE place here - https://www.farrellcentre.org.uk/thinkspace/

08/09/2026

Heritage Open Days: Claremont Memories

Friday 11 - Friday 18 September

We're taking part in Heritage Open Days! Join us for a special pop-up display celebrating the everyday histories of the Claremont Buildings.

We invite you to share your memories and contribute to the display – did you study here in the 1980s? Or purchase a book from Thorne’s in the 1950s? Whether it's a fond memory or a photo, you can share it with us on socials, email to [email protected] or pop in during the display.

We'd love to hear your stories!

23/07/2026

Architectural Explorers 🎒

Next time you visit, ask a member of the team about our Architectural Explorer bags.

They’re full of creative and engaging activities for younger visitors, from measuring to texture-hunting! Little ones can use the prompts to explore the centre from a difference perspective.

Free, suitable for toddlers upwards

23/07/2026

Summer Holidays 🌞
22 July – 28 August

Explore the Farrell Centre this summer – drop in to a workshop, discover our exhibitions, or enjoy our play spaces!

Drop-in workshops
Thursdays throughout summer 13.00-16.00

Free, drop-in workshops, inspired by our Housing for All project. Make a recycled ‘boxroom’, create a ‘15 minute-map’ or design your own ‘urban zine’. Check our What’s On for listings - https://www.farrellcentre.org.uk/whats-on/

Virtual Builders: Minecraft Club
Sat 8 August | 14.00-15.30

Join us as we explore architecture through the virtual worlds of Minecraft. Free, booking required.

Neighbourhood Wall
Throughout Summer

Decorate a ceramic tile which reflects your hopes and aspirations for where you live, display on our wall and watch it evolve throughout summer!

…Remember our Urban Rooms are always full of interactive activities and play materials. We'll be taking the play outside on warmer days 🧱

13/06/2026

A fantastic morning for our latest Urban Explorers walk, in the wonderful Peterlee!

Thanks E Lynn for another insightful tour, and to all who came and enjoyed the walk!

We're looking forward to further exploration in the Autumn 🗺️

28/05/2026

17/04/2026

SIDE: Planned Space Lived Place

16 April – 28 August 2026

A display of work from the AmberSide Collection exploring northern New Towns and planned communities.

Planned Space Lived Place brings together photographs and artworks exploring New Towns and planned communities in the North East, with a focus on Peterlee, Washington and Killingworth.

Featuring works from the AmberSide Collection alongside work by InSide members, it looks at how these places have been imagined, built, used and remembered.

Washington in a Word…, 1984 ©Janina Struk courtesy of AmberSide Collection

14/04/2026

New Towns!

Lots of exciting things coming up as we celebrate New Towns:

Rethinking New Towns with Wayne Hemingway | Thurs 16 April

Join designer Wayne Hemingway in a discussion on New Towns – those that exist, those to be built, and those we might imagine.

Re: New Towns Symposium | Thurs 16 and Fri 17 April

A 2-day symposium organised by Newcastle University , where we address what a 'New Town' can mean today and aim to gather local perspectives on national planning policies.

We also have two exciting new displays opening this Thursday -
a project by Masters students from Architecture, Planning and Landscape at Newcastle University exploring the possibility of a new town in the North East, and a wonderful installation by Side Gallery documenting the impact of New Towns and planned communities on Killingworth, Peterlee and Washington - more to follow on this!

Looking ahead 👀

Little Builders | Fri 1 May

Little Builders will explore sculpture and art inspired by New Towns – from concrete hippos to Victor Pasmore’s abstract shapes! 🦛

Urban Explorers: Peterlee | Sat 13 June

Explore the merging of art and architecture in this walking tour led by artist and photographer Euan Lynn.

See our What's On page for all the info
https://www.farrellcentre.org.uk/whats-on/