Open House London celebrates all that is best about the capital’s buildings, places and neighbourhoods. Every September, it gives a unique opportunity to get out and under the skin of London’s amazing architecture, with over 700 buildings of all kinds opening their doors to everyone – all for free. This year it takes place over the weekend of 17 and 18 September.
With architects' homes, eco and retrofit buildings, tours of major regeneration projects, landscape projects, government buildings, historic landmarks and towers, major infrastructure sites and more all available to explore over one weekend, it’s a great way to find out how good design makes more liveable cities. The full programme has details and opening times of all buildings and events and can be found on the Open House website.
For help with choosing where to start, check out Wallpaper magazine's list of 12 must-see buildings The groove-sters at Wallpaper have delved deep into the programme to find the most startling recent additions to the Open House. The picture below shows the interior of the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington. Regarded by English Heritage as the second most important modern building in London, its striking hyperbolic paraboloid copper roof reflects the architects' desire to create a 'tent in the park'. It will soon be the new home of the Design Museum and this is a unique opportunity to get inside before building work starts.
