The annual Open House event has a tradition of taking Londoners inside some of the most interesting buildings in the capital. As it has increased in popularity, some of the most popular buildings have become harder to get into – so now's the time to get organised and book the top spots
This year the programme includes:
Arsenal Emirates Stadium, N7
Open since 2006, this new Islington landmark is familiar enough from the outside, but now’s your chance to experience it from the inside. With a capacity of 60,000 people, it cost £430 million to build and incorporates architectural features like a downward sloping, tubular steel roof designed to create the perfect microclimate on the pitch. Its construction was not without controversy – some local residents unsuccessfully tried to take legal action against it, and there’s an ongoing question about volume levels exceeding council limits when it’s been used for gigs like Bruce Springsteen’s sell-out dates this May. But the only argument most Arsenal fans are interested in is about the airline-sponsored name. For some, it will always simply be ‘the Grove’.
Or perhaps you prefer this
Highpoint, N6
This 1933 Grade I-listed block of flats is a seminal piece of modernist architecture designed by Berthold Lubetkin and inspired by Le Corbusier’s ideas. Intended as a new answer to the problems of high-density urban living – which had previously been solved by building out into the suburbs – it was intended as working-class housing but, being in Highgate, quickly became a very desirable middle-class address. The Open House guided tour takes in the common parts, including recently restored foyers and the interiors of two flats which retain many original features such as cork floors, concertina windows and metal doors.
more
September 20-21
Watch website for details or get a printed programme from
http://www.openhouse.org.uk/public/london/generalinfo.html