LONDON.- Christie's London will present Architects for the Birds, a project conceived by Norman Foster and the Tessa Jowell Foundation, which brings together ten of the world's leading architects to raise vital funds to improve treatment for brain cancer, which is the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40.

The architects are Norman Foster, Renzo Piano, David Chipperfield, Grafton Architects, Sou Fujimoto, Lina Ghotmeh, Jacques Herzog, Frida Escobedo, Farshid Moussavi, and Kazuyo Sejima.

Coinciding with Frieze Week in London, the exhibition will be open to the public at Christie's King Street from 8 to 14 October 2025, showcasing a collection of ten unique birdhouses, representing a rare and collectible design challenge by the most revered architects of our time.

Architects for the Birds began with an invitation from Lord Foster to nine of the world's leading architects to take on a more intimate architectural challenge: interpreting themes of sanctuary, care, and hope through the poetic medium of a birdhouse.

Responding to an open brief, each architect designed and delivered a thoughtfully imagined, one-of-a-kind birdhouse. The collection is globally unique.

Each birdhouse will be auctioned at a private dinner at Christie's to support the work of the Tessa Jowell Foundation to improve treatment and compassionate, excellent and equitable care for people with brain cancer across the NHS.

Norman Foster says: “Biodiversity is essential for the processes that support all life on earth, including humans. As members of ecosystems, birds play many roles, including predators, pollinators, scavengers, seed dispensers, seed predators, and ecosystem engineers. A researcher from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), commenting on the problems of modern buildings and birdlife, noted that “if you live in minimalist architecture without bird-friendly features, you can at least put up some birdhouses”. In other words, there are good environmental reasons to encourage the design of facilities for birds, aside from the sheer pleasure of sharing the company of our feathered friends. This connection to nature, more recently called biophilia, is helpful for our physical and mental wellbeing. There is no better convening cause than that of the Tessa Jowell Foundation.”

Jess Mills, CEO, Tessa Jowell Foundation, says: “It is the greatest privilege to have had the opportunity to work on this extraordinary project with Lord Norman Foster and the world's great architects over this past year. We were blown away by the enthusiasm and commitment of the architects to take part, which is a tribute to the huge legacy my mother has in the arts and culture world, as longest serving Secretary of State for Culture in the UK. All the funds raised will go to support our mission to transform treatment and care for brain cancer patients across the UK – brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer of children and people under 40, and of course is the cancer that Mum died from, so this is very personal, and urgent work.”

Giovanna Bertazzoni, Chairman Europe, Christie's, says: “We're honoured to host 'Architects for the Birds' at Christie's – a project that unites creativity, care, and a shared sense of purpose. Each piece – generously conceived by one of today's foremost figures in contemporary architecture - offers a unique and moving interpretation of what it means to create care through architecture. It is a unique privilege to collaborate with the Tessa Jowell Foundation, Lord Foster and the outstanding team of architects who answered his call. We are proud to help raise awareness for the Foundation's transformative efforts to improve brain cancer care across the NHS. At Christie's, we remain committed to fostering meaningful philanthropic partnerships where art and creativity can inspire real and lasting change.”

Christie's London 20/21 Marquee Week will take place from 13-17 October 2025.