4 Ideas for Open House weekend in London
Open House London is the annual event celebrating the best of architecture and urban landscape in London. Iconic and memorable buildings in London open their doors for tours and visits. Open House London takes place every year in September. 4 S Architecture were honoured to welcome visitors at our Zig Zag roof house back in 2019 – you can read all about it here.
Figure 1: In 2019, the doors of our Zig Zag Roof House were open to the public as part of Open House London. Source: 4 S Architecture.
As the offering as part of Open House’s programme is vast, you might be wondering where to start. To help with your selection, we have featured a selection of 4 heritage buildings that we think are a tour de force of Open House London. Enjoy!
1/ Grand Junction at St Mary Magdalene Church, Paddington
This Grade I Victorian Gothic church was designed by G E Street, architect of the Royal Courts of Justice. Thanks to its recent restoration, the stunning colours of Daniel Bell’s painted ceiling shine again – you will be able to enjoy this sight during the visit. The restoration and conservation of the church was carried out by Caroe Architecture together with Cliveden Conservation. We also like this Open House destination, thanks to the new contemporary heritage wing, added by architecture practice Dow Jones’ Architects and completed in 2019.
2/ Institut Français du Royaume-Uni
Built in 1939 and refurbished in 1950, this Grade II listed building was last restored and modernised in 2014, making it a must in the Open House London programme this year. We particularly enjoy its intricate brick façade, with terra cotta plaques of animal and plant motifs. Nowadays, the Institut holds a vibrant cultural centre and a media library covering aspects of contemporary French life, as well as regular screenings of French films.
4/ Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration – New River Head
This is an intriguing complex of buildings between Roseberry Avenue and Amwell Street, the future site for the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration. This building was originally a water infrastructure site, designed to distribute water to London households as demand grew in the 18th century. The site is due to be redeveloped by Tim Ronalds Architects, and it will feature galleries, a learning studio, public gardens, a shop and a café – perhaps a good before and after visit in a few years.
4/ Sanitation and the City Walking Tour
Figure 2: The intricate ironwork inside Crossness Pumping Station. Image Credit: 4 S Architecture.
Per Open House’s brochure, this tour covers the ‘final section of the southern outfall sewer across the Erith marshes to the Crossness Pumping Station on the banks of the River Thames’. Designed by engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette, and architect Charles Henry Driver, it features spectacular ornamental cast ironwork. Nikolaus Pevsner described the craftsmanship in the building as ‘a masterpiece of engineering – a Victorian Cathedral of ironwork’. You might recognise it from the set of the 2009 film Sherlock Holmes, or the BBC production The Crimson Petal and the White. As a Grade I listed building, Crossness Pumping Station has received significant funding from the National Lottery to ensure its preservation. In your visit, you will be able to see the spectacular decorated ironwork that laces its interior (Source).
We have visited the Crossness Pumping Station in the past, and this destination is one of our must-go choices of Open House London. The images featured here were taken by 4 S Architecture, in our constant search for inspiration.
Figure 3: The industrial past of Crossness Pumping Station is evident when visiting its interior. Image Credit: 4 S Architecture.
We hope that you will be able to enjoy some of the capital’s best architecture this weekend!