Open House 2018
Another year, another Open House. This is the first year I’d not pre-booked most of my weekend (owing to being in Iceland when bookings opened), so I mostly played it by ear, planning an hour or two in advance.
This can be a blessing and a curse - you can see some gems you won’t have otherwise considered, but also quite a bit of meh. I got around 5 venues on Saturday and 7 on Sunday.
0. Carter’s steam fair #
Not strictly part of Open House, but Carter’s steam fair put on a short talk about the history of the artwork on their rides. They don’t use an apostrophe in their name, but I can’t bring myself to do that.
1. Polish Social and Cultural Association #
Not much photographically, but we were treated to a rehearsal for a Polish dance.
2. Hammersmith town hall #
The entrance is the best bit. But I’m probably an outlier in that thinking.
3. 100 Victoria Embankment #
No photos and you can only go in the atrium.
4. St Andrew by the Wardrobe #
A church.
5. Bloomberg London #
Bloomberg’s new London headquarters. It’s by far the best finished building I’ve been in. Gorgeous entrance made from sweeping wood panels. Winner of the 2018 Sterling prize.
Every detail is immaculate. There’s walkways connecting each floor to encourage employees to bump in to each other.
Artifacts dug up from the Roman Mithraeum uncovered on site. They’ve got an excellent small museum dedicated to it nearby.
6. Islington micro flat #
A cool space-efficient studio flat. Nothing to photograph though.
7. Golden lane estate #
A tour I’ve wanted to do for years. The weather wasn’t great, so I’ll be going back to shoot it properly.
8. 4 Bayer House #
A great example of a flat on the estate.
9. 15 Clerkenwell Close #
This building has been in the news recently.
1.0 Paxton Locher house #
My first experience of an entirely open (as in ceiling) living room. Large sliding glass roof. Crazy.
11. Priory Green estate #
Another 1950s estate. Less interesting than Golden Lane. Great to see from up high though.
12. Victorian waterpoint #
Originally a water storage tank, now home to the St Pancras Cruising Club. It was moved 700m in 2001 to avoid being demolished when the area was being redeveloped.
13. 45 Highbury station road #
Last stop was close to home. A lovely little refurbishment of a small cottage.