The Matter & Shape 2026 pavilion, designed by Jayden Ali and his firm, JA Projects, is set to make waves in the architectural community.
Ali, who gained recognition for his striking exhibition designs, such as the acclaimed ‘Fashioning Masculinities’ at the V&A in London in 2022, has a rich history in architecture that predates his recent fame. His journey into the architectural realm began long before he was spotlighted, as he formalized his practice into a business after years of exploration and learning.
Early Influences and Education
Born in East London, Ali’s fascination with urban spaces and the dynamics of city life has been a constant throughout his career. While still in college, he pondered, ‘Who makes cities?’ This question propelled him into various experiences, including a brief stint at a council planning office and a two-week internship at the architecture studio Allies and Morrison, which he secured thanks to his math teacher. The experience coincided with the preparations for the London 2012 Summer Olympics, providing him with invaluable insights into the placemaking process.
Ali pursued his architectural studies at Leeds and the University of East London, ultimately establishing his studio, JA Projects, in 2017, shortly after graduating.
Pivotal Moments in His Career
The years 2020-2021 marked a significant turning point for Ali. He noted that the post-COVID era infused new energy into his studio. ‘I was taking a step back from teaching at Central Saint Martins at that time,’ he explained. ‘But there was a slow progression, a slow move towards what I do now for a long time before that.’ He expressed pride in the diverse range of projects his studio undertakes, emphasizing their creative and socially conscious nature.
Ali’s approach to architecture is deeply rooted in social justice, reflecting his background as an East London schoolboy. He stated, ‘It’s incredible to have the range of projects that we do. They have this special quality; they are deeply creative, deeply inventive, and in some moments, relatively prestigious, but they always have this social justice underpinning them.’
Transformative Projects
One of Ali’s notable early projects was the redesign of The Cherry Trees, a school for boys with complex behavioral challenges in Bow, East London. After working there as a youth play worker until 2015, he seized the opportunity to remodel the school when the head teacher sought proposals. His design, known as The Barn, was based on a thorough analysis of the existing environment and resulted in a significant reduction in major incident reports at the school. His design choices, such as minimizing corridors and enhancing outdoor connections, produced remarkable outcomes.
Before completing his Part II architectural training, Ali took on this ambitious project. Reflecting on his early career, he remarked, ‘I still live in that world of naivety all the time. That’s how you get things done.’ His success with ‘Fashioning Masculinities’ in 2020 helped revitalize his studio after a slow period. During this time, he was also teaching at Central Saint Martins and worked diligently to build a team, even forgoing his salary for two years to support the growth of JA Projects.
Recognition and Recent Endeavors
Ali’s studio gained further recognition when he was selected to curate the British Pavilion at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale, alongside Joseph Henry, Meneesha Kellay, and Sumitra Upham. Their contribution earned a Special Mention for National Participation, highlighting the studio’s innovative approach.
In 2024, Ali’s work included the exhibition design for ‘Nike: Form Follows Motion’ at Germany’s Vitra Design Museum. His recent projects also encompass the reimagining of Camberwell Station Road in South London, which was developed in close collaboration with local schoolchildren and the community, and the redesign of Queen’s Market and Square in Newham, set to be completed in 2025. Additionally, he is conceptualizing the Matter and Shape pavilion for the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, scheduled for 2026.
Community Engagement and Design Philosophy
Since 2022, Ali has served as one of the London mayor’s design advocates and is involved in a project led by Allies and Morrison to reimagine Regent Street and its surroundings. JA Projects is specifically tasked with leading the redesign of Piccadilly Circus, a high-profile public space initiative in London.
‘My favorite architects are multifaceted world builders, the Steve McQueens of the world, those who rally people around stories and hold a mirror up to the way we live,’ Ali stated.
While Ali’s portfolio is diverse, a common theme emerges: his designs are deeply rooted in their context. They are not merely responses to briefs but are informed by the conditions and communities surrounding them. This nuanced approach allows his projects to feel inviting and interconnected, as seen in his work for the Nike exhibition and his urban projects in London.
Future Aspirations and Teaching
JA Projects, despite its relatively small size with a team of ten, remains agile and ambitious, with a growing international presence. Ali recently expanded his teaching role to the United States, taking on a visiting professorship at Columbia University in New York. He believes this experience enriches his practice, noting that approximately 50 percent of the studio’s revenue over the past four years has come from international projects.
Ali’s trajectory may not have been a predetermined path, but he emphasizes the importance of following the energy and engaging in dialogue with others. He remarked, ‘I’m really a follow-the-energy type of person.’
Creating Meaningful Spaces
Although Ali’s projects do not adhere to a singular aesthetic, they are unified by a commitment to creating architecture that supports the lives people aspire to lead. He expressed, ‘There are people who make physical things, who make digital things, who rally people around stories and hold a mirror up to the way we live, and help us to live in different ways. Architecture is a really big vessel that can hold a lot of elements.’
For more information about Jayden Ali and his work, visit ja-projects.com.
Ellie Stathaki, the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*, has a background in architecture and architectural history. She has been part of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, engaging with buildings worldwide and interviewing prominent architects. Stathaki has also contributed to various publications and participated in judging panels and events.
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Bildquelle: Julien Goettelmann auf Pexels
