Wednesday 2 August 2017

Open City - Architecture with Open City

Architecture on the Thames East - Saturday 30 September 1pm 

London’s future is in the east where some of the world’s most famous architects are transforming this historic industrial landscape into a place to live and work.
Join us for this afternoon journey down the River Thames starting in Greenwich and going out towards Dartford Crossing and back. A dramatically different landscape to that of central London Thames embankments, the tour will take in landmarks including Richard Rogers’ Dome, the vast Tate and Lyle Sugar Refinery in Silvertown, the Thames Barrier and Joseph Bazalgette’s amazing Victorian Grade I listed Crossness Sewage Treatment Works.
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. 
Departing and returning to Greenwich Pier. Booked only for capacity for the inside deck. Duration 2.45 hours approx. Regretfully no children under 7. 
Pre-order Mojito available, choose from two options on the shop page.
Previous Open City boat-trippers say:
"As always the tour guide (a practicing architect) was insightful, knowledgeable, interesting, funny and very balanced"
"...an opportunity to find out more about the development of East London beyond the reach of the usual boat trips, the guide was enthusiastic and very informative"
"Already done Thames central, so naturally this just cried out to be done as well...It did not disappoint"
(images c. Angus Hamilton, past tour attendee)
 

New Tour - Three Mills to Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf is becoming an increasingly visited part of London’s geography, but it is a journey generally undertaken at distance by tube, DLR or car. This walk is a chance to explore and understand the historic and changing context in which it sits.
Beginning near the historic Three Mills conservation area, on the River Lea, it follows the riverbank down to Bow Locks and the Limehouse Cut. The tour then winds its way through residential Poplar and past the iconic postwar developments of the Lansbury Estate, Balfron Tower and Robin Hood Gardens Estate, before emerging suddenly onto Poplar Dock and the commercial towers of Canary Wharf. The tour ends at the shortly to open Crossrail Station, whose rooftop winter garden is already accessible to the public.
Your guide is Ralph Ward, who has worked on the planning and development of the area for over twenty years, most recently as Olympic planning and regeneration advisor for the Department for Communities and Local Government. He is now visiting professor at the University of East London.
Meet: Bromley by Bow tube station. Blackwell Tunnel Northern Approach
London E3 3JJ. Duration 2.5hrs. Cost £25.50.
 

An Evening With...Walmer Yard
Thursday 7 September 6.30/7.45pm 

c.Hélène Binet
This evening event will give an exclusive opportunity to tour the highly anticipated Walmer Yard with architect-developer Crispin Kelly, CEO of Baylight and Chair of Open-City Board of Trustees.
Walmer Yard forms a discreet and private set of four interlocking houses totalling over 9,000 square feet set around an open courtyard in London W11. This new building designed and crafted by Peter Salter and developed by Kelly is the product of a decade of learning, thought and inspiration.
The houses reflect Salter's unique approach to the design of spaces for living, with each house having its own layout. All built from cast in-situ concrete, exterior walls are clad in wood panels, with a variety of materials and details unique to each house. From the play of light, shadow and colour, the intense celebration of materials and the constantly fresh sequences of spaces, these houses celebrate what architecture can ultimately deliver.
These four houses at Walmer Yard represent Peter Salter's first built residential project in the UK.
Each tour duration 1 hour. Limited places, cost £35.50 with complimentary prosecco and nibbles. Located in W11, exact address provided to bookers before the event. Find out more about Walmer Yard and the team involved in the project here
Our 'Evening With..' series offers opportunities to tour award-winning and unique London homes. Ticket purchases of these special one-off tours are in support of Open-City's pioneering education work.
 

September King's Cross tour dates 

c. Hufton+Crow/VIEW 
A walking tour of the King's Cross area, Europe’s largest city centre regeneration scheme. A combination of 20 historic and 30 new buildings set in new streets, squares and parks, the development is a 25 year project creating a new place and piece of city in an area once neglected.
Your guide is Maggie Baddeley is a Planning Director at NLP, a town planning, economics and design consultancy based at King's Cross.
Meet: At the base of the roof structure, directly outside the ticket office: Western Concourse of King's Cross station. Cost £25.50. Tour duration 2.5-3 hours
 
London's largest architecture festival, Open House London now in its 25th year will take place on the 16th-17th September.
*please note our guides will be dispatched mid August