Two Local Architectural Gems Feature in Open House Festival
A rare chance to tour the W House and the Sands End Centre
The W House is on Fulham Palace Road. Picture: W House
August 31, 2026
Open House Festival returns to London from 12 to 20 September, and Fulham will once again offer a varied and atmospheric programme of events that invite visitors to explore the area’s architecture, design and community spaces. Several Fulham venues are taking part this year, each offering a glimpse into the stories behind the neighbourhood’s built environment.
One of the most intriguing Fulham openings is W House on Fulham Palace Road, a private home transformed through a series of contemporary architectural interventions inspired by Victorian joinery catalogues. The house will be open for drop-in visits on Sunday 13 September, giving festival-goers the chance to see how historic craftsmanship has shaped a modern domestic space.
Fulham’s most substantial contribution to the festival comes from the Sands End Arts & Community Centre, shortlisted for a national architecture prize in 2022 and widely admired for its elegant, sustainable design. The centre will open across four days – 12, 13, 19 and 20 September – allowing visitors to explore its light-filled interiors and learn how the building has become a hub for local creativity and community activity.
Sands End Arts & Community Centre. Picture: Rory Gardiner
Just beyond Fulham’s border, several nearby venues are also drawing interest from local residents. Olympia will host tours on 13 and 18 September, offering a look at the progress of its major redevelopment and the new 3,800-capacity music venue. The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan cultural centre opens on 15 September for a talk, while Sacred Heart High School will welcome visitors on 19 September to explore its Grade II* listed buildings.
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