Wednesday 11 September 2013


New version of the Open House London App available!
The latest version of the Open House London App for iPhone has arrived, now with filters to search by the type of building, period, architect, and London borough. Search for buildings nearby you on the weekend. Make sure to keep updating for new features. Click here to buy now.

Still time to buy the guide - your accompaniment to Open House Weekend
Order your guide before 10am for dispatch on the same day.
Get your Open House London Tshirt now!With the iconic London key logo on the front and back, the newly designed Open House London t-shirt is an excellent accompaniment to the weekend. Click here to buy the t-shirt (medium or large sizes) and help us to keep the event free for all.

Children’s Activities at Open House London 2013 
Bring the family to Open House London this year and join the exciting architectural activities of Open House Junior. Fun and Free activities are taking place across the city during the weekend such as City of a Thousand Architects and Archikids Corner. Save the Date! Click here to find out more

Landscape of the week...
Forty Hall and Estate
Recently fully refurbished in partnership with HLF, this Grade I listed Carolean mansion hall 1629-32 is set in a fine estate within the Forty Hill village conservation area. Home of Sir Nicholas Rainton, Lord Mayor of London 1632-33, Master of the Haberdasher's Guild. Last private owners were the Parker-Bowles family. Now fully accessible with gift shop and cafe. Landscape restoration to start Dec 2013. Changing programme of high quality arts and crafts exhibitions.

House of the week...
Coach House
Combining a rich palette of traditional and vernacular materials with a contemporary understanding of detail and space, this house proposes a new vision of domesticity based on craft, tactility and light.

Education building of the week...
City of Westminster CollegeA 7-storey stepped design, with full-height atrium, internal and external terraces and a simple and restrained palette of materials and finishes including exposed concrete and pale timber. Sustainable features include solar shading, ETFE roof, energy reclaim, rainwater harvesting, green roofs. RIBA Award Winner 2011.

Transformation Highlights...
After decades of underinvestment, bomb damage and urban clutter, King's Cross Station is in the final weeks of a full upgrade and restoration. But the regeneration of the surrounding area is only just beginning.

In a few weeks' time, with the completion of King's Cross Square designed by Stanton Williams, London will not only have its newest public space, but also a restored icon, as Lewis Cubitt's magnificent Victorian facade will be revealed for the first time in more than 150 years.
Open House London gives the chance to preview this development, with the largest ever King's Cross showcase. Tours and events include: King's Cross Station itself, with an exclusive climb up the clocktower; St Pancras International; Great Northern Hotel
To find out more about the transformation of King's Cross, seenetworkrail.co.uk

Engineering Highlight...
The Changing Face of the Tidal Thames: Thames Estuary Partnership & ICE Walk
The tidal Thames Estuary is neither a wasteland nor wilderness. Not only was land intensively occupied and exploited but pressure on use is accelerating. This three-mile walk will demonstrate urban infrastructure, flood management and natural beauty, all within the M25. Organised by Thames Estuary Partnership and ICE.

All that glitters... Free talk during Open House Weekend
Master Shipwright's House, SE8 3JF
Join UP Projects for a conversation about the role of art and creativity in urban regeneration, with guest speakers Neville Gabie, Katy Beinart and Barby Asante. Discussing projects that have taken a critical and grassroots approach to changing spaces in London, we examine how urban redevelopment schemes commodify creativity and how artists are using or challenging these opportunities.
Booking essential: please contact bethan@upprojects.com
upprojects.com
All that glitters... is the final conversation in a series of events by artist Rebecca Beinart as part of a three month residency in and around Sue Godfrey Nature Park for Secret Garden Project Lewisham. The Secret Garden Project Lewisham is commissioned in partnership with LB Lewisham and funded by Arts Council England.



About Open-City: Open-City is London's leading architecture organisation. Over the last 20 years it has grown from showcasing the capital’s architecture annually to research, training, advice and campaigns that impact on the whole city.