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.