Open House London 2012: the top 20 destinations
1. Zog House, Neasden
Groves Natcheva's Zog House opens its doors on Sunday 23 September for those swift enough to pre-book. See our interactive floor plan of the house here.
Grovesnatcheva.com
If you want an indication of the level of interest in high quality architecture and design, look no further than Open House London. In the twenty years since the first event was held, tens of thousands of people have passed through some of the capital's hidden architectural gems, including spaces that are usually off-limits.
Open House London 2012 marks the 20th anniversary, and to celebrate we've come up with 20 destinations drawn from the list of over 750 places to see over the weekend of 22/23 September. This year there's also a special focus on infrastructure, green design, landscape architecture and numerous satellite events, with full details available on the Open House London website, openhouselondon.org.uk
1. Zog House, Neasden
Groves Natcheva's Zog House opens its doors on Sunday 23 September for those swift enough to pre-book. See our interactive floor plan of the house here.
Grovesnatcheva.com
2. Underground Bunker, Neasden
A change from the norm for aficionados of subterranean dwelling, this WWII era bunker is a history lesson and archi tour in one.
Networkhg.org.uk
3. 78 South Hill Park Brian Housden's incredible house in Hampstead is a masterpiece of boldly formed concrete and stunning modernist furniture. See wallpaper* 146 for our feature on this classic structure.
4. Royal College of Physicians
Sir Denys Lasdun's masterpiece, the RCP is a must-see building for those in central London on Saturday.
5. Lloyd's of London
A mainstay of the yearly Open House programme, Lloyd's of London will open its doors to give the public a rare glimpse inside its modern office buildings, still stunning after nearly 30 years of operation.
Rsh-p.com
6. Heron Tower
A relative newcomer on London's increasingly crowded skyline, the weekend offers access to what is now the tallest building within the City of London.
Kpf.com
7. Suburban Studio Ashton Porter's modest garden studio is elevated above its small scale by the rigorous treatment of the façade and its integration into a strict new courtyard garden. Ashton Porter Architects
8. Ed's Shed/ Sunken House
David Adjaye's modest building for photographer Ed Reeve is a satisfyingly simple piece of domestic architecture.
Adjaye.com
9. The White Building
We've already raved about David Kohn's conversion of a former printworks into cultural centre, now you have a chance to visit it for yourself.
Davidkohn.co.uk
10. 13 Kingsley Place
Neat and sleek, this contemporary three-bed house is firmly in the tradition of innovative North London domestic modernism.
Zuberarchitecture.com
11. Highpoint One
Berthold Lubetkin's masterpiece, a must-see if you've never been and a chance to reaquaint yourself with one of the icons of inter-war Modernism if you have.
12. Cypher House
David Wild's Cypher House is tucked away out of sight, one of many contemporary dwellings that has sneaked its way into the back lots and side roads of the capital in the past two decades.
Cypherhouse.co.uk
13. Brick House
Another contemporary classic, and an extremely rare opportunity to get inside this refined slice of modern architecture by Caruso St John.
carusostjohn.com
14. Trellick Tower
Goldfinger's classic tower block is always worth a trek. If you're out east, check the architect's smaller Balfron Tower instead.
15. Walter Segal self-build houses
A hidden gem and a true micro-community, Walter Segal's close of 13 self-build structures has evolved organically over the years.
16. 37 Snowsfields
DSDHA's studio and shop for jeweller Alex Monroe is a finely-wrought extension in a tricky site.
Dsdha.co.uk
17. Roominaroom
Atmos Studio's 'Roominaroom' features elaborate joinery, the intersection of computer design, digital fabrication and contemporary craft. The architects' Clapham House is also on the books.
Atmosstudio.com
18. The London Library
Haworth Tompkins' sympathetic restoration kept the character of this hidden gem in St James. A quick visit will have you reaching for the membership forms.
Haworthtompkins.com
Londonlibrary.co.uk
19. Langham House Close
Stirling and Gowan's beautifully realised scheme on Ham Common, completed in 1958, showed there could be life and love in concrete architecture.
20. Clapham Library
Studio Egret West's new landmark for South London is a bold block of flats above a striking new library.
Egretwest.com
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Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
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