London Open House Week

In September I went and checked out some Architecture during London Open House Week. This is a fantastic event, and if you have never been I highly recommend you go next year. You get inside Londons most interesting buildings. This year, two of the buildings I visited stuck out. Here are some photos of them.

This first image is of Fawood Childrens Centre in Harlesden. Designed by Will Alsop. The budget was tiny, and the centre is built in the middle of one of the worst estates in London. He cleverly used shipping containers for classrooms, and made the place bright and colourful and inspiring. The whole building is enclosed in a kind of steel grill, so the kids get loads of fresh air, but are safe within it's confines. Will Alsop should be commissioned to do something in Hastings.



The next images are of Chiswick business Park. Architect Richard Rogers and Landscape Architects West 8. This is an on going project and is in phase two. The buildings get built as they are needed, preventing empty offices. The landscaping was inspiring, as you really felt you were no longer in London. The park is open to everyone, but I don't think people are aware of this yet. So if you get a chance, go! The only thing I didn't like about the landscaping was some of the plants they had chosen. There were quite a few Acer palmatum on their last legs as they were very exposed. They used plenty of Cypress, I think they were going for a bit of a zen feel, for all those stressed out office workers!






The detailing on the decking was fantastic, I don't even think Jamie would have criticized it!