Opening Up London

24 March 2011

Do you manage a building of architectural merit? Is your building sustainable? Do you want to showcase it to interested members of the public. Open House London is looking for buildings to be open on 17-18 September.

Now in its nineteenth year, Open House London is a truly city-wide celebration of the buildings, places and neighbourhoods where we live and work, with over a quarter of a million people taking part in the event. In a 48 hour period in in September last year 250,000 people explored 750 buildings, attended 1000 events special events, family activities, walks, talks and cycle tours to discover the design, regeneration and conservation of every area of the city at a local level.
Open House London from 17-18 September 2011 is based on a simple but powerful concept, that people who visit buildings during this weekend event learn about architecture and then go on to advocate the value of good design in their home neighbourhoods through this direct experience. It captures their interest in buildings of historic and architectural merit, and increasingly grows their knowledge of modern systems, equipment and procedures that make the buildings and the people that visit or work in them more sustainable.
Open House is only successful because property owners and occupiers offer their time and resources to help make this event happen. Taking part is a rewarding experience. It is London’s largest showcase of architecture, design and regeneration and reflects the vibrancy of the capital’s creative and cultural industries. It encourages a sense of neighbourhood belonging amongst Londoners and helps develop active, healthy and connected communities.
Open House London has become one of the London’s largest cultural events, and offers substantial opportunity for community involvement, audience development and brand marketing.
The organisers of Open House London are looking to include in their 2011 event a range of buildings of architectural merit, sites under development and ‘green’ buildings, as well as events like walks and talks that compliment the core of buildings that can be freely visited.
If you are enthusiastic about your building, you can share this by opening it up – or parts of it - for one weekend on 17-18 September. Admission is free to the public, and you can add value to their visit with a fact sheet of information, a guided tour or by inviting architects and others to answer visitors’ questions.
Interested? Open House London would like to hear from you about the building/s you want to be included. Email, event@open-city.org.uk with details of your building/s by 31 May 2011. There is more detail about taking part in a Toolkit which is available on request from the organisers.
By 31 July you must have completed registration of your building to be included in the printed guide as well as online, and have sent a high resolution digital photograph of your building and completed a factsheet for the Open House Event website.
On 8 August the Guide is published, and the website www.openhouselondon.org.uk opens including pre-bookings for visits where relevant. The event on 17 and 18 September closes with a party on Sunday evening for all participants.
Open House London Survey results
• 66% said it has encouraged them to personally learn more about architecture.
70.9% said that it encouraged them to share what they have learnt with others
• 75% said Open House London made them think differently about the architecture of their own local area/neighbourhood.
• 89% “Open House London is the best way I know to see, explore and learn about London’s architecture.”
• 83% said that Open House London is an essential annual fixture in the their cultural life.