The Open City Newsletter
Open House Festival 2020
19th-27th September
There's only a few sleeps left until the most varied and ambitious Open House Festival yet!
Get ready for nine days of original films, model buildings to make at home, loads of fascinating guided walks all around London, building tours and much more.
We have recently updated our Visitor FAQ with more information about how we plan to keep everyone safe during the event. Buildings are subject to changing their information up until the day of their event so make sure you check their listing on our website before you travel.
OPEN HOUSE FESTIVAL
Featured Collection: Architecture for the Climate Emergency
This year Open House Festival features core collections with events organised around key themes.
No one industry contributes more to global warming than construction. Any efforts to fight climate change will fail without radical reform of how buildings and cities are designed - with profound implications for the architecture of London.
In 2019 protest movements swept the world calling for action to address the climate emergency. For 2020, Open House will highlight buildings and landscapes which reveal bold strategies for bringing construction and architecture in line with planetary limits.:
The Library House
(original online film)
This two bed, two floor terraced home combines exceptional thermal efficiency, a solar array, exquisitely crafted materials. Watch our Open House film from 19th September to hear architect James Macdonald Wright discuss its sustainable design.
Southwark Integrated Waste Management Facility
(online tours)
One of Europe's most advanced recycling facilities will be offering virtual site tours, recycling tips, and what they do with the materials.
Garden of Earthly Delights
Extinction Rebellion are be hosting tours of this community garden and hosting kid-friendly activities.
Drop-in: 19th and 20th September
Bluebell Centre, Perivale Wood Nature Reserve
The low carbon building is a straw bale construction built on compacted tyres with a cedar roof will have volunteers on hand to discuss the building project and its community impact.
Pre-booking essential- 19th and 20th September
More Open House Highlights
Marylebone Village Walking Tour
Explore the architecture and history of this urban village. With its unique make up, The Howard de Walden Estate retains the beauty of its period buildings, whilst repurposing and reinventing them for the requirements of the 21st century.
Royal College of Physicians (online only)
One of London's most important and provocative post-war Grade I listed buildings set amongst the Regency terraces of Regent’s Park. It’s white mosaic exterior with distinct modernist lines draws visitors in to dramatic interior spaces.
Over summer we've been working on a series of high quality card model buildings to order through the post and make at home. Build your own model London skyline. The Model London series includes St Paul's Cathedral, Ernö Goldfinger's Glenkerry House, The Hoover Building and The Treasury among many others.
PODCAST
New episode: The New Pedestrian and Cyclist City
In this episode of the Open City Podcast, Merlin Fulcher and Lara Kinneir are joined by Bruce McVean, Clarisse Tavin, and Laurie Miller-Zutshi –all experts in transport planning, public realm projects and cultural programming from the City of London Corporation which has taken the opportunity to move swiftly in creating a series of walking and cycling upgrades in line with its long-term transport strategy.
Listen now.
THE BOOK
The Alternative Guide to the London Boroughs
Guest-edited by Owen Hatherley thirty-three writers; architects, activists, and Londoners present thirty-three essays exploring famous and unheralded buildings, streets, estates and neighbourhoods across the thirty-three London boroughs.
£14.99 + p&p
