In Focus

thematic

DEEP DIVES

Aerial view over a landscaped former steelworks at sunset.

IN FOCUS

The In Focus series allows The World Around to travel and partner with global institutions and delve into specific topics to gain a deeper understanding of how they shape—or can be shaped by—the work of architects and designers. Each In Focus event convenes leading figures in architecture and adjacent industries to present their work related to the topic at hand—providing a broad overview of the status quo, and demonstrating how their specific projects and wider fields are shifting, advancing, or challenging what the future can look like. Previous iterations have included deep-dives into Land, Precarity, Radical Repair, Research, and Landscapes, hosted in five different countries. If you are involved with an institution that would like to discuss hosting an In Focus event, please get in touch!

Upcoming Program

In Focus: TransformationFebruary 21, 2026Los Angeles

Join us in Los Angeles for The World Around In Focus: Transformation co-curated with Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain and presented by Hammer Museum.

Past Events

Choru Visitor Center, a square building nestled in a valley.

In Focus: LandscapesDecember 07, 2024Shanghai

A series of live talks focused on the future of landscape architecture and design, conceived and co-curated by The World Around and Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain.

Illustration of Jakarta, Indonesia, showing the locations of toxic matter and entangled social and environmental injustices in the city's water bodies.

In Focus: ResearchMarch 16, 2024London

A program of talks presented by The World Around & Future Observatory at the Design Museum, investigating the role of research in culture today

In Focus: Radical RepairSeptember 28, 2023Milan

Examining the possibility of an architecture of repair, from urbanism, grafting to indigenous identiies. Co-curated with Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain

Three people ride elephants across the Elephant Center by Boonserm Premthada.

In Focus: PrecarityJune 11, 2022Rotterdam

In an increasingly precarious world, what can architecture and design do to mitigate the effects of global catastrophes?

In Focus: LandOctober 21, 2021New York City

Intersecting perspectives on the relationship between land and design in the US were explored in three sessions: community, technology, and ecology.

“The World Around is critical because it amplifies conversations at the intersection of design, ecology, and community empowerment. By participating in 'In Focus: Land,' I shared how Indigenous perspectives and land stewardship can guide architecture toward equity and sustainability. Their commitment to storytelling and inclusive dialogue inspires my practice, reinforcing my belief that collaborative design can create meaningful change.”