Open House London Buildings of the Week
City University London, College Building
Grade II listed building in the Arts and Crafts style. College building has been prominent in Islington life throughout its history, surviving bomb damage in WW2 and a major fire in 2002.
Visit their website here.
Southwark Integrated Waste Management Facility
Celebrate National Recycling Week by finding out what happens to London's waste at one of Europe's most advanced recycling facilities, comprising many sustainable features including grey water, solar panels and green roof. Designed for the purpose of turning waste into a resource.
Visit their website here.
Get ahead for the Open House weekend!
The 24th annual Open House London is only 2 weeks away, and there is only way to plan your weekend and make the most out of it... Get our guide and app!
Order your guide today or download the app in the App store to start planning your Open House weekend!
Extend your Open House weekend and join the Maggie's Culture Crawl on Friday 16 September
Open House London invites you to join Maggie's Culture Crawl and help support the Open House festival. Open House would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and donors, fundraising each year gets tougher.
On Friday 16 September Culture Crawl London will take you on a 10mile night-time adventure around the city.
As you wind your way around the capital, you'll uncover a route steeped in history, art and culture, whilst gaining exclusive access to amazing buildings, encountering talented performers and enjoying delicious food and drink along the way.
Maggie's have been busy planning an exciting route for their walkers which feature some of the capital's most spectacular venues including: Tate Britain, Foster + Partners Studio and the Royal Academy of the Arts alongside Maggie's West London Centre.
This is a great opportunity to help raise money for Open House whilst also supporting Maggie's. Click here to register today and remember to split your fundraising between the two charities. Quote the code OPEN16 on the registration page to share the fundraising and save yourself £5 off the sign-up fees.
Volunteer for Open House London!
There are still a few spaces available to volunteer for Open House London, so hurry and sign up now! If you have already registered, don't forget to choose a spot so we can send you your all-important volunteers badge and complimentary guide.
Sign up here this weekend.
Explore the Architecture of the Thames Central with an evening boat tour on Wednesday 21 September
Jason Hawkes/Getty Images
This summer evening tour along the River Thames surveys the landmark architecture of central London’s embankments and the skyline beyond.
Departing from Festival Pier, the tour first ventures upriver to Nine Elms, taking in Battersea Power Station, the new American Embassy and the studio of world-famous ‘starchitect’ Norman Foster, designer of the Gherkin and the Millennium Bridge. Then, downriver, among others, our guide will explore the design and history of Michael Hopkins's imposing Portcullis House, Neo-classical Somerset House and Renzo Piano's Shard, London’s super-contemporary skyscraper.
This unique riverside tour offers a fresh perspective on London’s emerging and established skyline and is led by our specialist guide Benedict O’Looney. Benedict's in-depth knowledge - he is a both a practicing architect and a teacher at the prestigious Architectural Association - guarantees deep insight and thoughtful commentary.
Autumn special with pre-order of Aperol Spritz available, choose from two options on the shop page.
Departing and returning to Festival Pier. Duration 2.45 hours approx.
Regretfully no children under 7.
Regretfully no children under 7.
Previous Open City boat-trippers say:
"It’s fantastic listening to Benedict O’Looney's encyclopedic knowledge of the buildings and bridges along the Thames"
"Boat trip on the Thames *and* a very knowledgeable guide. What isn't there to enjoy?"
"Excellent commentary and great to see things from a different viewpoint - both physically and intellectually!"
September Photography Tours
Improve your photography skills this September with our photo tours tailored towards capturing the ever-changing London landscape. All tours are led by an acclaimed architectural photographer and member of the architectural photography agency VIEW Pictures. During the tour you will discover different ways of observing and photographing your surroundings.
From Wren to Rogers
Explore the architecture of the City of London from Wren to Rogers with this photographic walking tour looking at how to effectively photograph the City, a hugely impressive mix of history and modernity, where new vistas are continually opening in the ever-changing cityscape of central London.
Shoreditch
This tour looks at how to photograph one of London’s fastest changing urban landscapes. You will capture a moment in time in this vibrant area as new developments go up on brownfield sites, alongside existing industrial Victorian warehouses and workshops, modern houses and boutique hotels.
