Saturday 31 August 2013

Walkie Talkie tower's glass panels reflect the sun leaving passers-by covering their eyes - London - News - London Evening Standard

Walkie Talkie tower's glass panels reflect the sun leaving passers-by covering their eyes - London - News - London Evening Standard: "It may still be under construction, but the Walkie Talkie tower is already proving to be a dazzling addition to London’s skyline.

One of the skyscraper’s unusual concave facades is directing an intense beam of sunlight onto a street below, leaving City workers stunned by its brightness and heat.

The hotspot on Eastcheap is created by the glass windows recently installed on the south side of the 38-storey tower

Friday 30 August 2013

September at the Natural History Museum

September at the Natural History Museum

Science Uncovered
Final weeks of Sebastião Salgado's Genesis
New research reveals Walking with Dinosaurs may have it wrong 
Final weeks of Sensational Butterflies
Sheep in the Wildlife Garden
Final weeks of Extinction: Not the End of the World?
Gift of the month: Triceratops head wall mount

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Science Uncovered
Enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access to our science and specimens for one night only at Science Uncovered.

Meet scientists and hear about their latest research, enjoy exclusive talks, tours, discussions and drinks and music in the grand setting of the Museum’s Central Hall.

With lots to do, this promises to be even better than last year. Free.

27 September, 16.00–midnight
Find out more about Science Uncovered
Final weeks of Sebastião Salgado's Genesis
© Sebastião Salgado / Amazonas Images / nbpictures
© Sebastião Salgado / Amazonas Images / nbpictures
Don’t miss your chance to see Genesis, Sebastião Salgado's extraordinary exhibition of black and white photographs. It closes on 8 September.

Salgado explored 32 countries over eight years to produce this collection. Genesis is the third in an acclaimed series of his photographic explorations of global issues, including Workers and Migrations.

Five stars – Evening Standard. Until 8 September
Last chance to book tickets to Sebastião Salgado's Genesis
New research reveals Walking with Dinosaurs may have it wrong 
Find out how Museum scientists revealed that sauropodsmay have moved differently than previously thought.

Natural History Museum palaeontologist Dr Paul Barrett says, 'We usually study the bones of extinct animals so it's easy to underestimate the influence of muscle and cartilage on flexibility and movement.'

A computer model that informed TV programmes such as Walking with Dinosaurs may now prove incorrect.
Read more about this exciting new research
Final weeks of Sensational Butterflies
From chomping caterpillars to beautiful butterflies, witness the remarkable life cycle of hundreds of free-flying live butterflies in our tropical butterfly house, before they flutter away on 15 September.

Also: last chance to enter our Sensational Butterflies prize draws.

Win a group ticket (2 adults and 5 children) to a Dino Snores sleepover at the Museum by entering our competition.

And, be in with a chance of winning a Sensational Butterflies Sticker Book by tweeting your best butterfly photo to @NHM_London.

Until 15 September.
Last chance to book tickets to Sensational Butterflies
Sheep in the Wildlife Garden
Come and visit our gorgeous greyface Dartmoor sheep in the Wildlife Garden this month.

While grazing, the sheep trample fallen plant seeds, important to the garden’s ecology. Honey, Bella and Bee arrive from the London Wetland Centre for two months in the Museum's Wildlife Garden.
Plan your visit to the Museum's Wildlife Garden
Final weeks of Extinction: Not the End of the World?
From dinosaurs and dodos to bizarre insects and super-sized birds, find out why some of Earth's most amazing specimens no longer exist, how and why certain species have survived, and the latest scientific opinion on the causes of extinction.

Visit Extinction: Not the End of the World? before it becomes a thing of the past.

And don’t miss our great 2-for-1 ticket offer, available until 8 September.

Last chance to book tickets to Extinction: Not the End of the World?...
Gift of the month: Triceratops head wall mount
Add some dinosaur décor to your bedroom with this terrificTriceratops head wall decoration.

The limited edition felt wall hanging makes a powerful statement and is sure to turn heads.

Take a trip back in time and snap one up from our online shop.
Buy a Triceratops wall hanging 

Somerset House - Learning & Events

Somerset House -  Learning & Events: Lickable perfumes, perfect sushi & family activities
Somerset house
© Jeff Knowles
September 2013
It’s a feast for mind and senses alike this month at Somerset House – between fragrance-creating masterclasses, documentaries on world-class sushi, or head-scratching talks and debates with the BBC, we have plenty going on this September…
For adults
Lickable Perfumes with Odette Toilette
Lickable Perfumes: A Masterclass with Odette Toilette
Thursday 5 September
18:30-20:30
Studio, South Wing
Tickets £40
Attention all epicureans and sensualists - join a masterclass with olfactory events purveyor Odette Toilette and flavourist Danny Hodrien, creating your own lickable perfume. Choose from a range of aromatic ingredients to ensure that you smell good enough to eat!
BBC Radio 4 Four Thought
Tuesday 10 September
18:30-21:00
Studio, South Wing
Free
Tickets available online soon
Subjects that spark debate are promised in our next live recording of BBC Radio 4’s Four Thought, a lively and stimulating evening hosted by David Baddiel, where invited speakers mix big ideas and evocative storytelling.
© BBC Radio 4 Four Thought
Exhibitions on Film
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Thursday 5 September
18:30-20:00
Screening Room, South Wing
Tickets £15
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
A documentary presented by food, arts, and culture journal The Gourmand celebratingelBulli: Ferran Adrià and the Art of Food. The film follows octogenarian sushi master Jiro Ono, whose tiny restaurant in a Tokyo subway station has three Michelin stars.
For families
Free Family Drop-in Workshops
Free Drop-in Workshop: Waterworks
Saturday 7 September
12:00-15:00
Meet at Seamen's Hall Info Desk, South WingFree
We love the fountains in our courtyard and being by the Thames watching the boats go by, but this week we ask you to design your own special water feature for Somerset House in this drop-in workshop. For families with children aged 6-12.

3 Weeks to Open House London!

3 Weeks to Open House London!

3 Weeks to Open House London Weekend!

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...
Grenville Plug-In Allotment Garden
Opening to launch 'Lighting Up the Lea', a season of public arts events that take their inspiration from the contrast of antiquity and futurism that lend Cody Dock a uniquely atmospheric backdrop of Victorian gasholders and Canary Wharf. The dock's own rich history is offset by the new and little-known public right of way that connects it to 26 miles of riverside walks.
Click here to find out more about landscape projects in Open House London

House of the week...
37a Leamington Road Villas
The use of exposed brickwork, concrete floors, skylights, exposed shuttered underpinning from which floating oak steps project, all give rise to this unique and stunning 3 bed home converted from a 1 bedroom Victorian flat. 3x3m glass doors give a seamless transition into the rear multi-levelled landscaped garden oasis with a cedar batten clad outbuilding.
www.studio1architects.co.uk
 

Structural Engineering of the week...
NEO Bankside

Landmark residential development designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners and engineered by Waterman Group, and jointly developed by Native Land and Grosvenor. Four hexagonal steel and glass pavilions, ranging from 12 to 24 storeys, have been arranged around landscaped gardens leading to the Thames. neobankside.com
Click here to find out more about the hidden role of structural engineers in Open House London

Education Building of the Week...
Harmony Children's Centre 

The building consists of four connected pavilions which house office space, two public halls and a nursery. Sustainable features include daylight and fresh air brought into the pavilions through high level roof lights and vents.


Win a place on an architectural bus tour by historic Routemaster bus!This year, we are again proud to be working with Arriva London Heritage Fleet to bring you a bus tour with a difference. Win a place on a whirlwind architectural tour by Routemaster bus with commentary by Royal College of Art tutor and bus driver Joe Kerr (Sunday 22nd September, half day). To enter, answer the question: In what year was the Arriva Heritage Fleet formed? with answers tobustour@open-city.org.uk by Monday 9th September.www.theheritagefleet.com





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.