The Japanese term 'Pecha Kucha' roughly translates as 'chit-chat.' Up to fourteen participants get to show 20 slides for 20 seconds each, meaning the audience experiences an exhilarating range of speakers and images over the course of the evening. There's also music, drinking and the inevitable exchange of ideas that occurs when you get so many architects, designers, artists and so on together in the same room.

The Pecha Kucha format was formulated by the Tokyo-based outfit Klein Dytham Architects. Dezeen editor Marcus Fairs and design writer and curator Max Fraser have brought the event to the UK and organise all events across the country. In London, they have teamed up with The Club at the ICA with a series of events planned throughout the year.

The UK events began in summer 2005 and became an instant success. See our press page for coverage of Pecha Kucha Nights.

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