Open House London, London’s biggest architecture festival allowing for free access to many of the capital’s beautiful buildings, is taking place this weekend, and there’s plenty to see in East London too. Many of Bethnal Green’s historic and fascinating buildings will open their doors for tours, walks and talks, allowing everyone to learn a bit more about architecture and urban design for free. In a two-part series, we will showcase some of the amazing architecture that you can witness here in E2.
20 Winkley Street
From the outside, 20 Winkley Street looks like a traditional brick house, located just off the old Bethnal Green Road. But enter and you are greeted with a contemporary three storey open plan house so well hidden from public view. The lack of doors and walls, as well as the vast glazing means that the assuming little building contains a vast amount of space, scale and light.
Saturday 10am – 1pm
20 Winkley Street, E2 6PY, London
Boundary
Located just off Boundary Estate, Britain’s first ever council housing, the Boundary building is home to a number of restaurants, bedrooms and a bakery. The original building was converted in 2008 from its origins as a Victorian warehouse, yet preserved many of its attractive industrial features – from the double height basement to the sash windows that flood the bedrooms with light.
Saturday&Sunday 10am – 5pm
2-4 Boundary Street, E2 7DD, London
Four Corners
Four Corners is a unique arts organisation located on Roman Road. Its website boasts that it is “where filmmakers, photographers, artists, trainees and local people work together”. The building itself was renovated in 2007, so it now includes darkrooms, galleries, a garden and a beautiful environmentally friendly roof.
Saturday 10am – 5pm
121 Roman Road, E2 0QN, London
Lawdale Primary School Community House
Completed just recently, Lawdale Primary School’s Community House received an extension by Tower Hamlets Council. The patterned design and details make direct reference to the local area. The architect will be present to share their vision of the space, which is used by a number of schools nearby.
Saturday 10am – 1pm
Mansford Street, E2 6LS, London
Visit http://www.openhouselondon.org.uk/towerhamlets to see all the buildings in Tower Hamlets taking part in the festival, as well as opening times.
-By Abdul Huson
Read Part 2 about places to visit in Bethnal Green
