'Balfron season' Bow arts Sept-Oct 2014

The iconic Balfron tower designed by the eminent brutalist architect and designer Erno Goldfinger will be hosting a series of events running until the 12th October whilst the building is prepared for restoration. Artists supported by Bow arts will for a short period base themselves in the tower opening it up to the public in a season of exciting events in which the architecture and the social life of the area will be be explored in a series of guided walks, artistic installations and workshops.  


ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOURS 
A series of architectural walks will be hosted by London’s city-in-waiting during September. The first 'Penetrate the Impenetrable: A walk via the Balfron Tower through East' will run on Sunday 7th September from Stratford City to Canary Wharf and will be hosted by regeneration experts Ralph Ward and Michael Owens. A second walk will take place on Saturday 20th September (on open house weekend), this will take visitors from Lansbury Estate through Poplar, reviewing post-war architecture up to the present day. 

BALFRON TOWER ART 
On the weekends of 6-7th September and 20th-21st September the Bow Artists resident in Balfron tower will be hosting an Open Studio in which they will be exhibiting a range of specially created shows. 

On the 13th September in Flat 131 a one-day Adult drawing Workshop (limited places available) in which participants will hope to be inspired by the brutalist building’s characteristics and surroundings. 
Many more events can be found on their website. 

OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND
On Open house weekend (20th-21st September) there will be full access and guided tours of Balfron tower 

For all enquirers and information visit their website and follow them @BalfronSeason
for other events follow me @BritBrutalism

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London Open House weekend (20-21 September 2014)

For one weekend every year many of London's most famous and iconic buildings normally closed to the general public are opened, this year is no exception with the Open house weekend taking place on the weekend of 20th-21st September. I have selected below the most interesting brutalist buildings and related events.  

* 8 Stoneleigh terrace (Camden) Sunday 10am-1pm 2pm-5pm tours on the hour
Designed by architect Peter Tabori who worked in the progressive Camden architects department in the 1970's, it shows the influence of other architects in the department (such as Neave Brown) and Denys Lasdun under who he worked for a time with the use of high density low rise social housing.

* Alexander Road (Camden) Saturday 10am-5pm regular tours (first come first served). 
One of the iconic brutalist estates of the capital built by Neave Brown from the late 1960's onwards. This open house event promises entry into a flat described as 'originally designed'. 

* Balfron tower (Tower hamlets) Saturday 1pm-5pm tours every 30 minutes 
Designed By Erno Goldfinger in the mid 1960's as social housing for London County Council. This open house event also promises access to one of the flats. See more in my post. 
- see Balfron season for more events and information 

Barbican centre (City) Saturday tours on the hour 12-3pm PRE BOOK ESSENTIAL 
(meeting at advance box office). A tour of the highwalks and the ideas behind the Chamberlain Powell & Bonn brutalist masterpiece. (could be an interesting tour but it doesn't look like there is anywhere included which you can't normally access included in the tour).

* Dunboyne Road Estate (a.k.a Fleet road estate) (Camden) meet Sunday 2pm 
PRE BOOK ESSENTIAL - Guided tour will be by the original architect Neave Brown (!!) and contemporary architect Takeshi Hayatsu. This tour also promises a look at a well kept original flat in the estate.  

* Royal college of Physicians (Camden) Sunday 10am-5pm (last entry 3.30) tours included as well as a lecture on Denys Lasden at 2.15pm. Designed by Denys Lasden overlooking regents park, one of the most significant brutalist buildings in London and a rare opportunity to see the interior.  

* - not to be missed

More information on all the open buildings can be found on the London Open House website. 

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New look and site work

Dear readers, 
The site is currently being upgraded which may take sometime meaning many of the links may not work as intended please bare with me! It should take only a few days more. I will also be working more seriously on other content expanding the project to a website rather than just a blog!
Hope you like the new and improved look!
Thanks for following~!

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