Open House London 2016

[edit] Introduction

Open House London is the capital's largest annual festival of architecture and design. Now in its 14th year and with more than 750 buildings, places and tours available, 2016's Open House London promises to be the biggest yet.

Designing Buildings Wiki have picked out a selection of the most interesting buildings to check out on the 17th and 18th of September.

Content courtesy of Open House London. For more information, see their website.

Five RSHP-designed projects are included in this year's festival. For more information, see RSHP at Open House London 2016.

[edit] Airport House

Purley Way, Croydon

A unique Grade II listed 1928 building constructed in a restrained classical style. Britain's first airport terminal incorporated the world's oldest air traffic control tower. It was government-built and features a rusticated façade with three 1.5-storey arched windows.

[edit] Bank of England

Threadneedle Street, City of London

Originally built by George Sampson, Robert Taylor and John Soane, but subsequently rebuilt by Herbert Baker in an imperial classical style between 1925 and 39.

[edit] Banqueting House

Whitehall, Westminster

Designed by Inigo Jones, this stunning regal building was originally part of Whitehall Palace. It is one of the first examples of the principles of Palladianism being applied to an English building, and includes ceiling paintings by Rubens.

[edit] Baps Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

105-119 Brentfield Road, Brent

A masterpiece of traditional Hindu design and exquisite workmanship. Using 5,000 tonnes of Italian Carrara and Indian Ambaji marble and the finest Bulgarian limestone, it was hand-carved in India before being assembled in London.

[edit] Bevin Court

Cruickshank Street, Islington

Bevin Court is one of London's hidden Modernist gems. Lubetkin's motto 'nothing is too good for ordinary people' resonates throughout. Restored to its former glory, and including a Peter Yates' mural and a 3D-printed bust of Ernest Bevin.

[edit] Foreign & Commonwealth Office

King Charles Street, Westminster

These Grade I listed Victorian government office buildings were designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and Matthew Digby Wyatt. They include the magnificent and richly-decorated Durbar Court, the India Office council chamber, the Locarno suite and the Foreign Office grand staircase.

[edit] The Gherkin

30 St Mary Axe, City of London

Designed by Foster + Partners, this curvilinear office building is unlike any other, with a distinctive tapering form that minimises its footprint and its impact on the London skyline. (2003). For more information, see The Gherkin.

[edit] Harrow School

Old Schools Church Hill, Harrow

The Old Schools, Fourth Form Room is the best preserved 17th century schoolroom in the country, and the Old Speech Room Gallery was a purpose-built room for the teaching of public speaking, which figured prominently in the classical curriculum.

[edit] Robin Hood Gardens Estate

Poplar High Street, Tower Hamlets

Designed by Alison and Peter Smithson, this celebrated post-war council estate comprises two concrete blocks of 7 and 10 storeys facing each other across a green space. It faces imminent demolition as part of a redevelopment project, and so this could be the last chance to see it. For more information, see Robin Hood Gardens redevelopment.

[edit] Royal Courts of Justice

Strand, Westminster

One of Victorian London's great public buildings. 13th century Gothic with a Victorian interpretation. Designed by G.E. Street (1874-82).

[edit] Royal Hospital Chelsea

Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, Nicholas Hawksmoor, and Sir John Vanburgh, the hospital buildings are one of England's architectural glories, sitting in 66 acres of beautiful gardens.

[edit] Senate House

University of London, Malet Street

The administrative HQ of the University of London was London's tallest secular building when it opened. The Grade II listed landmark balances classicism and Art Deco, and served as the architectural inspiration for the Ministry of Information in Orwell's novel '1984'.

[edit] Silvertown

West Silvertown, Newham

A 62-acre development in London's Royal Docks that includes Millennium Mills, an iconic former flour mill which has been derelict for decades. A small section of the Rank Hovis Premier Mill remains, including a restored Grade II listed grain silo.

For more information, see Millennium Mills.

[edit] St Pancras Chambers and Clock Tower

St Pancras Station, Euston Road

The former Midland Grand Hotel, St Pancras Renaissance Hotel and Chambers apartments include a hotel lobby and clock tower designed by George Gilbert Scott.

[edit] 18 Stafford Terrace

Kensington

From 1875, the home of the Punch cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne, his wife Marion, their two children, and their live-in servants. Recognised as the best surviving example of a late-Victorian middle class home in the UK. Designed by Joseph Gordon Davis (1871).

[edit] Trellick Tower

5 Golborne Road, Notting Hill

Erno Goldfinger's 31 storey 'Unite d'Habitation' built as social housing and now one of London's most desirable addresses. Monumental in style, with free-standing service tower, surreal boiler house and beautiful detailing.

[edit] Walter's Way

Honor Oak Park, Lewisham

Walter Segal's self-build houses. Each house is unique, built using a method developed by Segal, who led the project in the 1980s. Many houses have subsequently benefitted from extensions and renovations.

For more information, see Walter's Way.

[edit] Wembley Park

This 85-acre district around the National Stadium is transforming an events landscape into a new leisure and residential quarter.

Visitors can tour:

• The site and masterplan
• London Designer Outlet (Leslie Jones)
• Brent Civic Centre (Hopkins Architects, BREEAM Outstanding and RIBA award-winning)

[edit] Wilton's Music Hall

Graces Alley, Ensign Street, Tower Hamlets

The oldest grand music hall in the world, complete with papier-mache balconies and barley sugar iron columns. A project to repair the building was completed in September 2015. Designed by Jacob Maggs (1859).