Thursday 30 November 2017

Open City - December tous and events

Special Christmas Architecture on the Thames Central - Saturday 9 December 1pm

(c. Angus Hamilton, past tour attendee)
This special pre-Christmas 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 heading downriver, our guide will explore the design and history of Michael Hopkins' imposing Portcullis House, the Neo-classical Somerset House and Renzo Piano's Shard, London’s super-contemporary skyscraper, among many others.
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. 
Departing and returning to Festival Pier. Duration 2.45hrs. Regretfully no children under 7. Booked only for capacity for the inside covered deck in case of rain. 
Pre-order mulled wine and mince pie available, choose from two options on the shop page. 
Previous Open City boat-trippers say:
...the scope and the depth of the narrative during the tour...a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon on the river!"
"a gentle cruise along the Thames with informative commentary - what's not to like?"
"The guide Benedict O'Looney was excellent, so knowledgeable, a privilege to hear him talk!"
 

Photography Tour - From Wren to Rogers - Saturday 2 December 10am

(c. Grant Smith)
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 of this ever-changing cityscape.
This tour is an introductory tour led by an acclaimed architectural photographer and member of the architectural photography agency VIEW Pictures and you will discover different ways of observing and photographing the City.
The tour will cover optimum time of day to photograph the City’s buildings. By the end of this tour you should be able to identify differing architectural styles in the City and different approaches to architectural photography.
Meet: City of London Information Centre, St Paul's Churchyard EC4M 8BX 
Tour ends around Bank. Duration 2.5hrs. Participants should be familiar with the manual functions of their camera. Cameras not provided.
 

Photography Tour - Architecture by Night - Wednesday 6 December 6.30pm

(c. Richard Chivers/VIEW)
Photographing the City’s iconic structures, the tour includes Lloyd’s Building, Tower Bridge and Heron Tower where lighting dramatically re-enforces their night time presence. This is an introductory tour led by an acclaimed architectural photographer and member of the architectural photography agency VIEW Pictures, who will be on hand to guide you and answer any questions as you discover the techniques of night photography.
The tour will cover:
- Illumination of the City’s buildings and how to photograph them
- Using long shutter speeds to render light trails
- Optimum time to take night photographs
- Selection of aperture, shutter and ISO to produce best results
- Your rights to photograph in public
Meet: At the post boxes, opposite Lloyd’s of London, One Lime Street EC3M 7HA. Duration 2hrs. Tour ends at Tower Pier. Participants should be familiar with the manual functions of their camera.
 

An Evening With...Connock & Lockie
Wednesday 6 December 6.30/7.45pm

c. StΓ₯le Eriksen
This evening event explores Benedetti Architects' comprehensive refurbishment and reconfiguration of the bespoke tailor Connock & Lockie in a listed Bloomsbury building with Yusuke Nagashima, (Director, Connock & Lockie) Renato Benedetti (Director, Benedetti Architects) and Takuya Oura (Project Architect).
Located on Lamb’s Conduit Street, a pedestrianised Georgian street celebrated for its rich variety of specialist independent, owner-run shops. The project allows Connock & Lockie to fulfil its ambitions, under director Yusuke Nagashima, to make every part of their suits on site – from first measurement to final fit.
The architects’ approach to the project included the remodeling of the business premises over two floors of shop and three residential floors above. Both client and architect see this project as ‘another stage in the ongoing life’ of the building, which was originally built in 1765 as a three-bay wide, four-storey townhouse with basement, before being converted in the 1820s into a shop at ground floor level.
The project started with a forensic assessment of the existing fabric – much of it still original but in a poor state. What followed was a process of filtering the key Georgian, Victorian and 20th century elements: whether to keep, reinforce or replace while maintaining the essential quality of the often idiosyncratic spaces.
The design features more than 60 items of bespoke joinery. Other highlights include a grand, dark-stained oak stair leading down into the lower-level atelier including one which has been sunken to bring light into the basement, and is faced at the rear by a new two– storey oak-clad extension. Everywhere in the scheme, colour and texture have been used to reflect and articulate the hierarchy and use of each space, from the choice of species and treatment of timber, to that of paint and tiles and the use of lighting.
The design perfectly fits and accommodates the process and skill of making which underlines the ethos of the company – but also allows for its celebration and enjoyment by both staff and customer alike.
The project was a finalist in AJ Retrofit Awards and is currently shortlisted for AJ Architecture Awards, Camden Design Awards and FX International Interior Design Awards 2017. 
Each tour duration 1 hour. Limited places, cost £29.50 with complimentary prosecco and nibbles. 

Museum of London - What's on in December?

Santa's grotto
Christmas is just around the corner and Santa is busy gathering up those all-important Christmas lists.

Meet the man in red himself and let him know your Christmas wishes when you visit his secret grotto within our recreated Victorian streets – at either the Museum of London or Museum of London Docklands  which will be transformed with festive decorations and the sound of carols. Every child who visits Santa receives a special gift.
What's on
The City is Ours
Until 2 Jan
Museum of London
Don’t miss your last chance to explore the pleasures and challenges of urban living through interactive displays and films in our free exhibition which sits at the heart of the City Now City Futureseason.






The London Salon
Tue 12 Dec, 7-10pm
Museum of London
In an evening of live performance, multimedia, debate and play, Livingmaps present two very different visions of life in London in 2049. Which one would you choose?
Entry includes a drink. Part of the City Now City Future season. In partnership with Time Out.




Docklands regeneration
Sat 9 Dec, 2-3.30pm
Museum of London Docklands
Take a journey from our 1802 warehouse complex and explore the fascinating history of London’s docks, and the extraordinary story of their regeneration across the years. Discover how Canary Wharf and the upcoming Crossrail are continuing to breathe new life into the heart of East London on this walking tour.



Walk with Dickens
Sun 3, Sat 9 & Wed 13 Dec, 3-5pm
Museum of London
Discover the Victorian London of Charles Dickens, from Embankment Gardens to Holborn, and the people and places he brought to life on the page, such as Oliver Twist and the Artful Dodger. Learn how Dickens’s work helped to create our modern idea of Christmas.