Behind Closed Doors
Open House London is an annual festival of architecture which allows unique access to buildings which are not normally open to the general public. It was set up as a not-for-profit organisation to educate people about the rich architecture of the city which surrounds us and influences our daily lives, and has now been running for 22 years.
By encouraging and enabling greater knowledge of what already surrounds us, it is hoped that more informed decisions about future architectural projects can be made and a greater general dialogue will open up. This is achieved through first-hand experience of not just buildings, but public spaces too.
The concept has now become so popular that over 30 cities throughout the world offer their own Open House events, and this year the London event will take place across the city on the weekend of 19th-20th September.
There are over 700 venues to explore with additional walks, talks and tours planned and all with the added incentive that admission to this journey of discovery is completely free and fully inclusive. In most cases you can simply show up at your selected venue and stand in line to gain access. However, a small number of venues will require booking in advance.
With so many different types of buildings and spaces to explore, from private homes to government offices, it would be wise to plan your itinerary carefully to get the most out of the event. The programme can be found online at www.openhouselondon.org.uk or a printed copy can be sent out for £8.50 in the UK. Alternatively, you can download the Open House app.
Whether you are a budding architect or just want to satisfy your curiosity, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to gain access to whatever is behind these normally closed doors:
10 Downing Street – 1684/1735 - Historic
This is perhaps the most iconic closed door in all of London and prime ministers have been living and working here since 1735. Access to this Georgian building is by ballot only but if you are one of the lucky ones then entry to the state rooms awaits you.
Architect: Sir Christopher Wren/William Kent.
15 and a half Consort Road – 2005 – Private Home
Featured on the TV show ‘Grand Designs’, this quirky little house is an example of what can be done through sheer tenacity. Built on an ‘unusable’ brownfield site with a very limited budget, the clever design details and sustainable features make it an all-round favourite to visit.
Architect: Richard Paxton Architects/MOOARC/Flower Michelin
Grow Elephant – London’s only mobile community garden
Started three years ago, you can now visit the garden on its third site. Run by local residents, it offers a place to relax, grow, learn and be entertained. There will be an onsite café offering coffee, cake and drinks and even a disco with soul DJs.
ICE Engineering Highlights Cycle Tour of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - Sunday 2pm The Institution of Civil Engineers has organised a two-hour cycle tour of the park's venues and utilities. Engineer Andrew Weir and architect Kay Hughes will explain the construction of the Olympic Park and the supporting infrastructure as you cycle around it. All you have to do is bring your own bike.
London is a city full to the brim with marvellous art and architecture, but with much of it, as yet, undiscovered by most. So, if you’re looking for an exciting way to while away a September weekend and need some inspiration, this would be an intriguing place to start.
The Final Credits
London has some of the finest art and architecture in the world, offering visitors an eclectic mix of classical and modern buildings, galleries and exhibitions. The city benefits from a culture that supports the arts in all its forms, with practical and financial help being provided by both government and private sources from organisations such as the Tate Foundation, whose members include Maryam Eisler, Sasan Ghandehari, Noam Gottesman, Oliver Haarmann, Peter Kellner and The Hon Mrs Rita McAulay
http://www.artnews.com/top200/yassmin-and-sasan-ghandehari/
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/visualarts/article4499559.ece
http://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/support-and-donate/ual-development-council/
http://www.tate.org.uk/download/file/fid/51351